Super typhoon Yagi shuts schools for 6.5 million Vietnamese students

The Departments of Education and Training in Hanoi, Ha Nam, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Tuyen Quang and Vinh Phuc have announced to shut all schools on Saturday, which is a normal class day for many public schools in Vietnam.

Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces are shutting schools on Friday and Saturday.

In Bac Giang, 500,000 students will remain home on Saturday, with schools having the discretion to send students home from Friday afternoon if necessary.

Over 520,000 students in Hai Phong will also stay home starting Saturday, continuing until the storm passes. For schools designated as storm shelters, students were sent home starting at noon on Friday.

In Quang Ninh Province, home to Ha Long Bay, students in Co To Island started staying home on Friday while schools in other areas will be shut on Saturday.

The 13 localities are home to 6.5 million students from kindergarten to high schools.

Schools have been instructed to monitor the storm's progress closely and ensure personnel are on standby for an immediate response.

Several universities have adjusted their schedules in response to the typhoon. The Hanoi Architectural University and the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology have both canceled their opening ceremonies scheduled for Saturday. The Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam have also decided to allow students to stay home on Saturday.

Super typhoon Yagi is expected to enter the Gulf of Tonkin on Friday night, initially affecting areas between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, with maximum wind speeds reaching 133 kph. The strongest winds are expected from Saturday morning until dusk.

All coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Nghe An have banned vessels from operating, and approximately 310 domestic and international flights scheduled for Saturday have been canceled.