After sideswiping southern China and Hong Kong, Typhoon Wipha is now heading towards Vietnam as a severe tropical storm. Forecasters expect it to re-intensify as it enters the Gulf of Tonkin before making landfall in northern Vietnam.

Published 4 days ago

Hong Kong experienced the full force of Typhoon Wipha on Sunday, July 20, with the Hong Kong Observatory issuing its highest warning, hurricane signal No. 10, for nearly seven hours.

The eye of the storm passed just south of the city, bringing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts even higher in some areas.  More than 110 mm (4 inches) of rain fell within three hours.

“Compared to previous typhoons like Mangkhut and Hato, which caused much more astonishing destruction, the impact this time was primarily limited to fallen trees and collapsed scaffolding,” Eastern District councillor Kenny Yuen told Reuters.

Vietnam braces for impact

Vietnam’s northern coastal provinces are currently on emergency footing as Typhoon Wipha approaches.The storm is forecast to cross back over land somewhere along Vietnam’s Red River Delta coastline on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Typhoon Wipha is the third storm of the season, entered the northern Gulf of Tonkin with peak winds reaching level 9 (75–88 km/h) and gusts up to level 11. Forecasters expect the storm to strengthen further, bringing heavy rain, strong damaging winds, extensive flooding and mudslides to affected areas when it makes landfall across northern Vietnam on Tuesday July 22.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister has issued a directive for authorities to call fishing boats into port, evacuate low-lying districts, stockpile food, and secure communication networks.

Wipha’s arrival also threatens to hamper search and rescue efforts for those still missing after a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay during a thunderstorm on Saturday, which tragically killed over 30 people. This incident, while occurring prior to Wipha’s direct impact on Vietnam, highlights the severe weather conditions the region has been experiencing.

…………………………………

This summary is based on information from various sources, including news reports and statements. For more detailed information see the following links:

Related News:

• Typhoon Rains Batter Hong Kong (Reuters)
• Wipha Moves Closer to Viewnam (Vietnamnet Global)
• Typhoon Wipha Hits Hong Kong Bringing on Highest Storm Alert (The Guardian)
• Typhoon Wipha Sideswipes Hongkong (Weatherzone)

…………………………………

Related Links:

• Joint Typhoon Warning Centre
• Weatherzone
• Noonsite Weather Resources

…………………………………

If you have found this information useful, become a paid member to enjoy unlimited use of Noonsite plus many other perks. Your membership fees really help our small, dedicated team keep country information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide. Find out more about Noonsite Membership levels and benefits here.

Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter: https://www.noonsite.com/newsletter/