Vietnam is reeling from its most devastating storm this year as Typhoon Bualoi unleashed torrential rains, severe floods, and strong winds across the north, paralyzing transport and leaving widespread destruction. The storm battered Hanoi, where schools were forced to close, many homes were submerged, and daily life came to a halt due to dangerous flooding and power outages.
Authorities confirmed that the death toll has risen to 26, with 22 people still missing, as search and rescue operations intensify in flood-affected provinces. Villages in Nghe An and Ha Tinh were particularly hard hit, where floodwaters rose to rooftop levels, cutting off road access and leaving thousands of families stranded. More than 135,000 houses have been damaged, and nearly 25,500 hectares of rice and crops have been destroyed.
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In the capital, Hanoi, residents described terrifying scenes of water gushing into their homes and cars stranded in deep floodwaters. Thunder and lightning accompanied the heavy downpours, making roads impassable and causing widespread traffic chaos. Photographs shared on state media showed entire neighborhoods marooned, with motorbikes and vehicles abandoned in waist-deep water.
Transport networks have been thrown into disarray, with Vietnam Airlines cancelling or rescheduling multiple flights at Noi Bai International Airport to ensure passenger safety. Meanwhile, Vietnam Railways suspended most services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, further disrupting travel across the country. The national weather agency has warned of continued risks of landslides and flash floods as rainfall exceeded 300 millimeters in several areas.
Local communities are struggling to cope with the devastation. Survivors recounted losing homes, belongings, and livelihoods overnight, with strong winds blowing off rooftops and floodwaters sweeping away essentials. “All of my belongings have been damaged, all gone,” said Ngo Thi Loan, a resident of Nghe An province, who stood in half a meter of floodwater inside her roofless home.
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With Vietnam’s long coastline facing the South China Sea, the country is highly vulnerable to such storms. Typhoon Bualoi, which already claimed at least 10 lives in the Philippines last week, has underscored the growing dangers of extreme weather. Authorities have pledged urgent relief measures, but the scale of damage suggests a long road to recovery for affected families.