Thousands have been directed to evacuate Vietnam’s coastal regions bordering the South China Sea, as authorities prepare for the arrival of Typhoon Kajiki. Airports and schools have been closed in affected areas as a precaution.

The Vietnamese government reported on Monday that around 30,000 individuals had already been evacuated from the coastline. Earlier warnings from officials indicated that over 500,000 people may need to relocate, and all fishing vessels were instructed to remain at harbor.

Recommended Stories

Vietnam prepared for impact ahead of Typhoon Wipha

Typhoon contributes to deadly floods across the Philippines

What to know about hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons

Typhoon Podul hits Taiwan; one still unaccounted for

“This typhoon presents a serious threat and is moving rapidly,” stated the government late Sunday, warning that Kajiki may unleash torrential rain, severe flooding, and landslides across impacted regions.

To aid in evacuation and provide emergency services, more than 16,500 soldiers and over 100,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed, according to the government’s emergency response announcement.

Typhoon Kajiki is expected to come ashore on Monday afternoon, with wind speeds reaching up to 166km/h (103mph) over the sea. While the Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted a possible weakening trend as the storm enters shallower waters in the Gulf of Tonkin, the threat remains significant.

Authorities closed airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh provinces, as confirmed by Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority. Airlines, including Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, grounded several scheduled flights on both Sunday and Monday in anticipation of the storm.

Local coastal areas also ordered a halt to maritime activity starting on Monday, recalling ships already at sea, according to Vietnam’s national news service.

Vietnam frequently experiences powerful storms, leading to flooding and landslides. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, more than 100 people were reported dead or missing due to natural calamities, the Ministry of Agriculture reported.

In 2024, Typhoon Yagi resulted in the deaths of around 300 individuals and caused roughly $3.3 billion in damage across the country.

‘Feeling uneasy’

The city of Vinh endured extensive rainfall overnight, leaving its roads empty by morning. Most businesses were shuttered, and many residents worked to protect their homes and shops with sandbags.

“I’ve never known such a powerful typhoon to approach our city,” shared 66-year-old Le Manh Tung from Vinh, who, along with other evacuees, has taken temporary shelter in a sports arena.

“I’m a little nervous, but we must deal with it — it’s a force of nature beyond our control,” he added.

There is concern that homes may collapse under the typhoon’s force, and even taller structures could suffer extensive structural damage, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha reportedly stated, according to state media.

The typhoon is forecasted to travel further inland, eventually moving across Laos and into northern Thailand.

Kajiki previously made landfall on Sunday along China’s Hainan Island before continuing its path toward Vietnam. Approximately 20,000 people had been relocated in the Chinese province, which lowered its emergency warning levels on Monday morning.

Despite the reduced alerts, local officials cautioned that severe showers and sporadic storms remain possible in southern cities within the region.