The National Civil Defence Steering Committee on Friday urged local authorities to monitor the storm and keep fishing vessels, cargo ships and tourist boats informed.
The weather agency forecast force 6 southwesterly winds, with gusts of force 7-8, over waters off Lam Dong Province and Ho Chi Minh City, and the southern East Sea from Friday to Saturday.
Typhoon Noul strengthened from a tropical depression east of the Philippines on Friday. At 1 pm, its centre was located at 18.7 degrees north latitude and 122.6 degrees east longitude, packing sustained winds of 62-88 kph and gusts of up to 133 kph.
Forecasters said the storm would move west-northwest at about 25 kph before making landfall in Guangdong Province in southern China, with little chance of directly affecting Vietnam.
The steering committee called on coastal authorities to closely monitor vessels operating in bays and nearshore waters, maintain communications with boats at sea and prepare rescue personnel and equipment for possible emergencies.
Separately, forecasters warned that continued heavy rain could trigger flash floods and landslides in parts of Quang Tri Province and Hue on Friday evening.
Rainfall of 10-40 mm, with isolated totals exceeding 60 mm, is forecast through late Friday, prompting flash flood and landslide warnings for several mountainous and low-lying areas.
Localities are urged to inspect flood-prone locations, clear blocked waterways and take precautionary measures to reduce risks to residents, transport networks and infrastructure.
