Vietnam responds to Typhoon Wipha with utmost urgency and determination

The official telegram was sent to the Ministers of: National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Construction, Science and Technology, Culture - Sports and Tourism; and to the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the following provinces and cities: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, and Hanoi. It was also addressed to the General Directors of Vietnam Television, the Voice of Vietnam, and the Vietnam News Agency.

No citizens are to remain on board vessels

The telegram states that Typhoon Wipha (locally known as Typhoon No. 3) is a strong storm moving rapidly. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the typhoon is expected to affect the northern and north-central regions starting from the evening of July 21, bringing strong winds and heavy rains, with a high risk of flash floods, landslides in midland and mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Following Official Telegram No. 112/CĐ-TTg dated July 19, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requests that the Ministers of National Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, and other ministries, sectors, and localities within the storm’s projected path continue to urgently and decisively implement all necessary storm and flood response measures as directed in Official Telegram No. 112/CĐ-TTg. The goal is to protect the lives and property of the people and the State, and to minimize damage caused by the storm.

For maritime and island-related activities, local authorities must urgently mobilize and guide all vessels including fishing boats, cargo ships, and tourist boats still operating at sea to exit dangerous areas or seek safe shelter. Measures must be in place to ensure the safety of both people and vessels at anchorage points, with a strict directive that no one be allowed to remain on board when the storm makes landfall.

Localities must also review and implement safety measures for tourism activities and aquaculture operations in the sea, river mouths, and coastal zones. There must be decisive evacuation of individuals from fish cages, aquaculture watch huts, and floating platforms before and during the storm’s arrival. No one is to be left behind in these high-risk areas.

Based on local conditions, authorities should proactively determine and enforce sea bans for fishing, cargo, and tourist vessels as necessary.

Ensuring safety in coastal and inland areas

To ensure safety in both coastal and inland areas, the Prime Minister has instructed local authorities to proactively review residential zones and evacuate people from unsafe, structurally weak homes and from areas at high risk of landslides, flash floods, deep inundation, and debris flows. Localities must prepare forces, equipment, supplies, and essential goods based on the four-on-the-spot principle to be ready for any possible scenario.

Factories and critical infrastructure such as telecommunications and power grids must be reinforced and protected, with rapid-response measures in place to address any damage and maintain uninterrupted operations before, during, and after the storm.

Authorities must control traffic, implement traffic diversion plans, provide guidance, and restrict movement during the typhoon’s landfall and in the event of pre-storm thunderstorms and strong winds. Special attention must be paid to submerged crossings, low-water bridges, roads with swift currents, damaged roads, and areas prone to landslides. Forces, materials, and vehicles must be on standby to address emergencies and ensure traffic flow along major transport routes.

Ensuring the safety of dykes, irrigation reservoirs, and agricultural production

Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to monitor, forecast, and provide timely, accurate information to relevant agencies to support storm response efforts. The ministry is also tasked with actively guiding and urging localities to respond according to the evolving conditions of the storm, rain, floods, and landslides; and with ensuring the safety of dikes, irrigation reservoirs, and agricultural production.

Ministries and sectors, according to their respective functions and assigned responsibilities, must form task forces to coordinate with localities in storm and flood response. Specifically:

• Ministry of National Defense is assigned to Quang Ninh province
• Ministry of Public Security is assigned to Hai Phong City
• Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is assigned to Ninh Binh province
• Ministry of Construction is assigned to Hung Yen province
• Ministry of Science and Technology is assigned to Thanh Hoa province

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam Television (VTV), the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) are tasked with intensifying communication efforts, promptly reporting on the storm's developments, and providing public guidance on preparedness, response skills, and risk reduction.

Prime Minister has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to directly oversee and direct the implementation of this telegram by all relevant ministries, sectors, and localities.