HANOI – Typhoon Bualoi, the tenth named storm of the Pacific season, came ashore in north central Vietnam after striking the Philippines days earlier. Fuelled by rapid strengthening over the South China Sea.
Typhoon Bualoi hit near Ha Tinh and Nghe An with peak sustained winds near 117 kilometres per hour, about 73 miles per hour, at roughly 1:00 a.m. local time. By late morning, it had weakened to around 88 kilometres per hour as it pushed inland.
The damage was already done. Waves up to eight metres high, widespread floods, and severe hits to transport and utilities followed. Vietnam faces another tough episode in a year of frequent storms, with more than 100 deaths linked to extreme weather in the first seven months of 2025.
Bualoi arrived faster than expected, close to twice the usual forward speed for storms in the region. The quick approach shortened the window for last-minute plans. The system began as a tropical disturbance near Yap on 22 September.
The Japan Meteorological Agency named it a tropical storm on 24 September, then upgraded it to a typhoon that evening. In the Philippines, where it was called Typhoon Opong, it crossed Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa with several landfalls.
At least 20 people died, most from drowning or falling trees, with 14 still missing and 33 injured by 29 September. About 23,000 families evacuated. Power failed across multiple provinces. The storm then moved back over the West Philippine Sea and set its sights on Vietnam.
Vietnamese officials moved quickly on 28 September. About 100,000 troops were deployed to support evacuations and logistics. More than 250,000 people were left exposed in coastal areas from Ninh Binh to Ha Tinh.
In Da Nang, a major tourist centre, more than 210,000 residents moved to safer ground. Hue arranged to relocate 32,000 people from low-lying districts. Beaches closed, fishing boats returned to port, and schools shut across much of the region.
Closure orders would remain in place until Tuesday if the floods did not recede. In Vinh, the capital of Nghe An, residents stacked sandbags, secured boats, and tied down roofs as the core neared.
Aviation took a central role in the safety plan. From Sunday, authorities halted flights at four coastal airports to protect passengers and aircraft. Da Nang International Airport, Vietnam’s third-busiest, suspended all take-offs and landings. Phu Bai in Hue, Dong Hoi in Quang Binh, and Vinh Airport are also closed.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed on Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and others. Carriers urged travellers to rebook. Some services are diverted to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said safety came first, with forecasts pointing to gusts near 133 kilometres per hour and a surge over one metre that could flood runways and terminals.
The impact onshore was immediate and harsh. In Hue, a person was swept away by fast floodwater and died, the first confirmed casualty. Off Quang Tri, large waves rolled four fishing boats, leaving 12 crew missing in rough seas. By late 29 September, coast guard ships and helicopters searched the area, but poor weather kept progress slow.
A later update from Bloomberg said the death toll had risen to two, with 17 people missing. Reports also mentioned injuries from collapsing structures in parts of Nghe An. Doctors treated dozens for minor cuts, bruises, and falls during hasty evacuations, though no full injury count was available. Floods swamped roads, washed out makeshift bridges, and entered homes in Quang Tri, Hue, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. Thousands more people were displaced.
Damage to power and transport was heavy. Grids failed in several central provinces, leaving tens of thousands without electricity. Crews struggled to reach downed lines in high winds and high water. Dozens of homes lost roofs or were wrecked by strong gusts. Farms and fields took a major hit. Floods soaked rice paddies and other crops that feed export markets for rice and coffee.
Losses could deepen food supply pressures after Typhoon Yagi caused about 3.3 billion dollars in damage last year. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned of several hazards at once. Flash floods, landslides in hilly areas, and river flooding could continue through 1 October.
Bualoi arrived soon after Super Typhoon Ragasa, which killed 28 across the Philippines, Taiwan, and China before fading over Vietnam on 25 September. Scientists link the intensity of the 2025 season, already the busiest since 2020, to warmer seas that load the air with more moisture.
Heavier downpours, up to around 20 percent more in some storms, and higher surge risks have followed. Vietnam’s long coastline along the South China Sea, home to about 20 million people, remains exposed. Since Yagi, the government has invested in early warnings and sturdier public works, along with better shelters and evacuation routes.
As Bualoi weakens into a tropical depression over Laos by 30 September, attention turns to relief and recovery. The Red Cross and other aid groups are moving supplies and staff.
Hanoi has pledged quick support for rebuilding, with a focus on power, roads, and clean water. Health teams are monitoring outbreaks in flooded areas. Engineers are checking bridges, schools, and clinics for structural damage.
Airports will reopen in stages as the weather clears and inspections finish. Airlines plan more relief flights to move stranded travellers and deliver cargo to affected provinces. Ports will need dredging where surge carries sand into channels. Fishermen face lost gear and damaged boats, and many will need credit and spare parts to return to sea.
This storm will not be the last of the season. Another system, Neoguri, is active over the Pacific and bears watching. Forecast offices in the region are updating tracks and alerts. Residents are urged to follow local guidance and avoid flooded roads, unstable slopes, and downed power lines.
Bualoi’s passage again shows how preparation cuts risk, from early warnings to swift evacuations. Reducing losses over time will require stronger homes, better drainage, safer schools, and power grids that fail less often. Longer term, cutting emissions and adapting infrastructure to higher seas and heavier rain will shape how communities fare when the next typhoon forms.
