Storm Prapiroon strands 6,000 tourists on northern Vietnam islands

Tens of thousands of tourists made a hasty exit from Cat Ba in Hai Phong City after authorities announced the suspension of inland waterway transport, ferries, cable cars, and amusement services on the island from Monday noon.

But as of 3 p.m. Monday 3,885 tourists remained on the island, including 435 foreigners.

Foreign tourists stay at a hotel on Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong City to avoid storm Prapiroon. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa

Local authorities called on hotels and motels to reduce room rates by 50%.

Some hotels have even agreed to house them free of charge or only charge them for electricity and water.

Le Manh Hiep, owner of Dolphin Hotek 230 hotel on April 1 Street in Cat Ba, said after he posted a notice offering free rooms, hundreds of people turned up.

"I still have 10 rooms available. Anyone who needs support can come and meet us."

On Co To island in neighboring Quang Ninh Province, 888 tourists are stranded, including nine foreigners, while Van Don District has 1,002.

A spokesperson for the Ha Long Bay Management Board said that by 3 p.m. Monday all tourists visiting the bay returned to shore safely and the 398 cruise ships operating in the province had returned to shelter.

Storm Prapiroon made landfall in Quang Ninh at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds.

Many northern localities such as Hanoi and Thai Binh and Nam Dinh provinces have received heavy rains since Monday night.