Typhoon Wipha is forecast to make landfall across northern and central provinces of Vietnam on July 22.
At a meeting in Hanoi on July 20, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the need for swift, coordinated action from both central and local forces to ensure effective storm preparedness and response.
Typhoon Wipha is expected to affect a broad area from the northern province of Quang Ninh to the central province of Ha Tinh, with further complications likely due to post-storm circulation.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the storm is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin on the morning of July 21 with sustained winds of 103–117 km/h and gusts reaching level 14. It is likely to make landfall between the northern and central regions on July 22.
From July 21 to 23, heavy to extreme rainfall is expected in the northeastern region, the Red River Delta, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, ranging from 200 to 350mm, with some areas potentially exceeding 600mm.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep reported that as of 9 am on July 20, the storm was 670 km off the coast of Quang Ninh and Haiphong, with wind speeds reaching level 11 and gusts at level 13. The typhoon is expected to strengthen to level 12 before entering the Gulf of Tonkin, moving faster than previously forecast.
“Our greatest concern is for the coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh,” Hiep said. “Even if the storm's wind speeds remain moderate, they can still topple trees and damage infrastructure.” He noted that in Hanoi, level 7 winds on July 20 had already knocked down 400 trees. He urged localities to prune branches and take preventive action.
Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, warned that storm effects could begin early on July 21. “Coastal areas may feel strong winds as early as 3am or 4am,” he said. “Maritime activity in the Gulf of Tonkin must be suspended before 10am, and in the central region before 1pm.”
At the meeting, leaders from provinces including Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa outlined their local preparedness plans. Quang Ninh has ordered a sea closure starting at 7am on July 21. Of more than 1,800 vessels, around 200 remain at sea, and authorities are urging them to return to port.
Provincial officials have also begun notifying residents in at-risk areas outside the dike system and plan to complete evacuations by noon on July 21.
Agencies reported ongoing efforts to secure communication lines, satellite systems and electricity supply to ensure stability during the emergency response.