After Philippines and China, Typhoon Yagi Slams Vietnam, Creating Warning for International Tourists Traveling to Haiphong

Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia in 2024, has left a trail of destruction in northern Vietnam, claiming the lives of at least 49 people and leaving 22 others missing as floods and landslides ravage the region. The typhoon made landfall on Saturday along Vietnam’s northeastern coast, bringing torrential rains, violent winds, and widespread devastation to both rural and industrial areas.

As of Monday, preliminary government estimates revealed the full extent of the damage. Typhoon Yagi disrupted power, destroyed infrastructure, and halted economic activity in several of Vietnam’s key manufacturing hubs, including the coastal city of Haiphong, home to major industrial parks and factories. The storm has left many without electricity, and authorities are warning of further risks of floods and landslides in the coming days.

Vietnam’s northern provinces have been hit particularly hard, with the majority of the casualties caused by landslides and flash floods triggered by the heavy rains. Forty-nine people have been confirmed dead, while 22 remain missing, according to the Vietnamese government. Rescue teams have been working around the clock to search for survivors, but continued rainfall and treacherous conditions have hampered efforts.

Most of the victims were residents of rural areas where landslides buried homes and entire communities under mud and debris. Floodwaters surged through towns, sweeping away houses, crops, and livestock, leaving local populations struggling to cope with the aftermath of the storm. Roads have been submerged, cutting off access to isolated areas, and complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Typhoon Yagi’s path directly impacted Vietnam’s northeastern coastal regions, where some of the country’s most important manufacturing operations are located. Haiphong, a bustling coastal city of two million people and a major industrial hub, bore the brunt of the storm. Factories and industrial parks were severely damaged, with roofs blown off, equipment destroyed, and operations brought to a standstill.

Many businesses reported that the storm had disrupted production schedules and supply chains. Managers and workers at factories in Haiphong described scenes of chaos as they scrambled to salvage equipment from facilities where roofing had been torn off by the storm’s violent winds. They have also faced additional challenges due to widespread power outages, which have affected millions of households and businesses across the region.

Several roads leading to Haiphong were flooded or blocked by debris, further complicating recovery efforts. Telecommunications networks were also disrupted, making communication difficult for businesses attempting to coordinate recovery operations.