Vietnam's tourism icons in ruins in wake of typhoon Yagi

When typhoon Yagi made landfall in the Quang Ninh - Hai Phong area on Saturday afternoon, it brought maximum wind speeds of 149 kph, causing extensive damage to many tourist facilities and iconic landmarks in the northern region.
One of the heavily affected tourist sites is the Quang Ninh Provincial Planning, Fair, and Exhibition Center, commonly known as the Dolphin Palace due to its dolphin-like shape when viewed from above. A large part of the roof was torn off by the strong winds, leaving behind a chaotic scene.
Photo by Le Thanh

The powerful gusts stripped large sections of the white corrugated metal roof, scattering debris across nearby roads. The center, which had an investment of VND1 trillion (US$40.7 million), is a prominent symbol of tourism in Ha Long City.
Photo by Le Thanh

The Dolphin Palace, located on the coastal road with a view of Ha Long Bay, is a familiar location for tourists.
Photo by Le Thanh

A part of the Dolphin Palace was heavily destroyed.
The palace is around 4 km from Bai Chay, known as Ha Long's most vibrant tourist area, which is home to high-end entertainment complexes, the bustling Cai Dam market, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of guesthouses, hotels, and bars offering full services.
Photo by Giang Huy

On the opposite side, Lan Be Park was also heavily affected by the typhoon. Many tree branches were broken or uprooted, littering the roads with debris. The park, known for its rows of stone benches where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery, was left in disarray.
Photo by Le Thanh

The Quang Ninh Museum and Library also sustained significant damage, with many glass windows shattered. Continuous heavy rain caused flooding on the road in front of the museum.
This complex, located in Hong Hai Ward near October 30 Square and the Dolphin Palace, is known for its unique design and had an investment of over VND900 billion.
Photo by Noir Coffee

Hai Phong City was severely impacted by typhoon Yagi, with widespread power outages and fallen trees reported across many areas.
In Do Son District, several electric poles were broken, exacerbating the power disruptions. The Canh Dieu Exhibition Center, once a symbol of Hai Phong City, also suffered significant damage, with large portions of its roof blown off by the strong winds.
Photo by Anh Phu

Cat Ba tourist island was left in unprecedented ruins, with facilities suffering damage worth hundreds of thousands of dollars by Tuesday.
Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern city of Hai Phong, adjacent to world heritage site Ha Long Bay, has 367 islands, of which Cat Ba is the largest. The island is surrounded by limestone karst mountains rising from turquoise waters that make it an ideal destination for cruise tours.
Photo by Le Tan

On Saturday night, strong winds swept through the center of Hanoi, causing widespread damage. An estimated 17,000 trees were uprooted, accounting for about 10% of the trees in the city. Among the fallen were many ancient trees that served as popular photospots for tourists, including the iconic banyan tree in front of the St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Photo by Hoang Giang

Fallen trees are scattered along Phan Dinh Phung, one of Hanoi's most beautiful streets loved for its canopy of old trees. People typically flock the street to take photos during autumn.
Photo by Tung Dinh