Northern Vietnam Braces for Tropical Depression Amidst Enhanced Disaster Preparedness

Northern Vietnam is heightening its alert as a tropical depression approaches, which intensified into the year's fourth storm over the Gulf of Tonkin on the evening of August 21. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rains to northern Vietnam on early August 22, with some areas forecast to receive more than 500mm of rain as the storm moves slowly over the northern waters of the East Sea. In response, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered continued proactive disaster response and faster flood recovery in an urgent official dispatch on August 21. He urged authorities in provinces and cities from Quang Tri northward, along with relevant ministries and agencies, to take urgent measures to ensure public safety and minimize damage caused by natural disasters. Local authorities evacuated 2,965 households, including 2,736 in Lang Son, 27 in Quang Ninh, 80 in Bac Ninh, and 122 in Thanh Hoa, moving them to safe locations. Crops have also been affected, with 1,065 hectares inundated or damaged, primarily in Lang Son, Bac Ninh, and Quang Ninh provinces. In Lang Son, 290 landslide and inundation sites disrupted traffic. Authorities have contacted 1,620 vessels with 4,499 crew members, ensuring no vessels remain unreachable or are operating in dangerous areas. The approaching tropical depression underscores the importance of climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness in Vietnam. The country is focusing on areas such as waste treatment, clean energy, recycling, and environmental protection, in line with its strategic orientation for sustainable development approved in 2004. The development of smart urban areas is also seen as a tool for risk forecasting, rapid adaptation, and resident protection. Furthermore, Vietnam signed an Implementation Agreement on carbon credits collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement with Singapore on September 16, 2025, highlighting its commitment to international climate action. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.