Vietnam on High Alert as Typhoon Bualoi Forces Mass Evacuations and Airport Closures

 

A woman wearing a raincoat collects a plastic bag near a beach as Typhoon Bualoi nears, in Nghe An province, Vietnam, September 28, 2025.

Vietnam has evacuated tens of thousands of residents and suspended operations at four coastal airports as Typhoon Bualoi barrels toward its central provinces. The storm, packing winds of up to 133 km/h (83 mph), is moving at nearly twice the speed of an average typhoon, raising fears of widespread flooding, landslides, and storm surges.

Authorities in Ha Tinh province have relocated more than 15,000 people, while Da Nang and Hue are preparing to move over 240,000 residents to safer ground. Schools in affected areas have been closed, and fishing vessels ordered back to shore.

Heavy rains have already triggered flooding in Hue and Quang Tri, while strong winds have damaged homes and disrupted power lines. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Da Nang International Airport and three others have been shut down, with flights rescheduled.

The storm comes just days after Typhoon Bualoi left dozens dead in the Philippines, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to increasingly severe tropical cyclones. With forecasts warning of up to 600 mm of rainfall in some provinces, Vietnam’s disaster response teams remain on high alert to prevent further casualties and damage.