Tourism hit as typhoon Yagi sweeps through northern Vietnam

A spokesperson for Tuan Chau International Passenger Port in Quang Ninh Province, one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon, said the exact losses are yet to be determined due to telecom and power disruptions.

Tuan Chau Port, which spreads over an area of over 1.7 million square meters and can berth more than 2,000 ships, is one of three ports that receive tourists visiting Ha Long Bay.

Tourist boats was hit by waves and sank at the pier of Duy Anh's company as typhoon Yagi hits northern Vietnam on Sept. 7, 2024. His pier was severely damaged. Photo by Duy Anh

Many cruise operators offering overnight stays in Lan Ha Bay are also based here.

Duy Anh, who owns five tourist vessels operating in Lan Ha Bay, estimated his company’s losses at around VND5 billion (US$203,720).

"Luckily, none of the boats sank, but piers, waiting rooms, warehouses, and facilities are badly damaged."

Before Hai Phong City authorities warned vessels against sailing into the bay, he had brought all his vessels to the port and canceled all tours.

Pham Ha, CEO of Lux Group, which offers luxury cruises in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays, said two of his company’s boats had sunk and need to be salvaged for repairs.

Its overnight cruise ship was also damaged but remains operational.

 

 

Tourism hit as typhoon Yagi sweeps through northern Vietnam

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Since the typhoon knocked down telecommunications masts, many ship owners lost contact with their vessels, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage yet, Ha said.

In Ha Long, many hotels reported severe damage.

Novotel Ha Long Hotel reported damage to infrastructure, including broken glass doors.

As of Sunday morning heavy rains persisted in Ha Long, and the hotel had yet to fully assess losses.

The Diamond Hotel in Ha Long was also badly damaged with glass doors broken and awnings being torn down by the strong winds.

Hannah McEvoy, a long-term guest staying on the upper floors of the Best Western Premier Sapphire Halong Hotel, described her experience on Saturday, when the storm made landfall and brought violent gales, as "really scary."

She felt the building sway in the strong winds. Fearing that glass doors might shatter, hotel staff relocated her and other guests to lower floors that night.

When she returned to her room on Sunday morning, the floor was soaked, and there was broken glass and fallen trees around the hotel.

Fallen trees outside the hotel where Hannah McEvoy rented in Quang Ninh Province. Photo courtesy of Hannah McEvoy

Quan Lan, a popular beach destination in Quang Ninh, was also damaged.

Telecommunications signals remained unstable on the island on Sunday, while streets were littered with fallen trees and many homes had their roof blown off.

Phuong Nam, the owner of a hotel on the island, said though his property was not otherwise badly damaged, its roof was blown off, causing five floors to flood. He expressed doubts about reopening this week due to power issues and damage to tourism facilities.

In Do Son, a tourism hub in the port city of Hai Phong, dozens of shops and homes were badly damaged, with many losing their roofs.

Fallen trees, corrugated iron and debris from broken walls were strewn across Do Son Beach.

Vu Van Khanh, who runs an eatery and motel, said his house was "almost wiped out," and estimated his losses at over VND3 billion.

The typhoon weakened into a tropical depression on Sunday but caused heavy rains and landslides in most northern provinces.

At least 24 people are reported dead.

Many parts of the north remain without power.

Several travel companies with tours scheduled in the north this week are worried about possible disruptions due to the extensive damage.

HCMC-based Viet Media Travel Company, which has two groups set to depart from HCMC to the north on Tuesday, is concerned about food availability and the feasibility of traveling to Ha Long.

Vietluxtour said it has 10 groups lined up to travel to the north, three of them to Ha Long, and some might need to alter or postpone their plans due to the damage to tourism infrastructure.