Storm Maysak Approaches Vietnam's Northern Coast, Threatening Ha Long Bay Area

Storm Maysak has formed off Vietnam's coast and is expected to approach the northern region, potentially impacting areas around Ha Long Bay. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the storm was located 110 km southeast of China's Hainan Island early Friday, with sustained winds of 74 kph and gusts up to 102 kph, moving northwest at 10-15 kph. Forecasters predict the storm will continue its north-northwest track over the next 24 hours, passing west of Hainan Island. By early Saturday, it is expected to be over the island's western region with little change in intensity. The storm is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin by early Sunday before making landfall between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, the provinces home to Ha Long Bay and other popular coastal attractions. It is then expected to move into China's Guangxi Province, weakening into a tropical depression by Monday. Meteorological agencies in Japan and Hong Kong also project the storm will maintain winds of around 65 kph over the Gulf of Tonkin, strengthening to approximately 72 kph as it nears the Vietnam-China border. Deteriorating weather conditions are anticipated across northern coastal waters. From Friday night, winds in the Gulf of Tonkin will increase to 39-61 kph, reaching 62-74 kph with gusts up to 102 kph near the storm's center. Wave heights are forecast at 2-4 meters, with coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Hung Yen experiencing waves of 2-3 meters. The weather agency has warned that strong winds, rough seas, and elevated water levels could pose a threat to ships, aquaculture facilities, sea dikes, and other coastal infrastructure. From Saturday afternoon, coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Hung Yen are expected to experience sustained winds of 39-49 kph, which could rise to 50-74 kph. Northeastern Vietnam may also be hit by thunderstorms, squalls, and wind gusts of up to 74 kph. Heavy rainfall is forecast from Friday night through Sunday across northeastern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa Province. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 100-200 mm, potentially increasing to 150-250 mm in parts of the northeast, with isolated areas likely to receive over 350 mm. The National Civil Defense Steering Committee has instructed coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa to closely monitor vessels at sea, warn them to avoid dangerous waters, and ensure the safety of residents and tourists in coastal and island areas. Rescue forces are on standby as authorities intensify monitoring and emergency preparedness. This year, only one tropical depression had formed in the East Sea before Maysak, and it did not pose a threat to Vietnam. Forecasters anticipate around five tropical storms and depressions will develop over the East Sea between June and August, close to the long-term average, with about two expected to directly affect Vietnam. Storm activity from September to December is forecast to be below average due to El Niño conditions. Despite the expected decline in storm numbers later this year, forecasters caution that localized torrential rain, flash floods, and landslides remain a significant threat, particularly in the mountainous regions of northern and central Vietnam. The East Sea recorded 21 tropical storms and depressions in 2025, the highest annual total since records began in 1961. Natural disasters that year resulted in 484 deaths or missing persons and economic losses exceeding VND104.7 trillion (US$4 billion), making it one of Vietnam's costliest years on record for disaster damage.