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The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Storm Wipha nears northern Vietnam with heavy rain, strong winds and flood risk
Farmers in Hung Yen province cover their crops to brace for the incoming storm. - Vietnam News/ANN HANOI: Tropical Storm Wipha (Storm No. 3) is closing in on northern Vietnam after entering mainland southern China early on July 20, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and heightened risks of flash floods and landslides across large parts of the country. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 4am on July 21, the storm's centre was located at 21.5 degree North latitude and 110.4 degree East longitude, just over northern China's Leizhou Peninsula, about 275km east of the Quang Ninh–Hai Phong coast. The storm is moving west-southwest at speeds of 15-20km/h, packing maximum sustained winds of level 9 (75-88km/h) and gusts reaching level 11 (up to 117km/h). By early July 22, Wipha is expected to strengthen, with winds reaching level 10-11 and gusts up to level 14 as it moves west-southwest at around 15km/h. Areas most affected will include the northwestern Gulf of Tonkin and the coastline from Quang Ninh to Hung Yen. The national disaster risk level is set at Level 3. The storm is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression over inland areas from Hung Yen to Thanh Haa by early July 23, producing wind levels of 6-7 and gusts up to level 9. By July 24, the system is expected to continue west-southwest and weaken into a low-pressure area over northern Laos. Coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Nghe An are expected to see wind speeds of 7-9 from the evening of July 21, with gusts near the storm's centre reaching 10-11 or even 14 in some locations. Inland areas may experience winds of level 6, gusting up to level 8. The northern Gulf of Tonkin is under severe storm conditions, with wind levels up to 12 and gusts as high as 15. Waves in these areas are forecast to reach 4-5 meters. Conditions in the southern Gulf of Tonkin and the northern East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) are also highly dangerous. Scattered thunderstorms and rough seas are affecting much of Vietnam's southern coast and island regions, with strong southwest winds. From July 21 to the night of July 22, heavy to very heavy rain is expected across the northeast, Red River Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An, with some areas seeing over 450mm. Other northern provinces and Ha Tinh may also see up to 250mm. The intense rainfall brings a high risk of flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas. Overnight, severe rain caused localised flooding in Dien Bien, Son La and Quang Trị. On July 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an emergency directive urging ministries and local authorities to prepare urgently for Storm No. 3. The order emphasises swift action to protect lives and property. Authorities are instructed to evacuate people from unsafe areas, suspend fishing, tourism and marine transport in affected zones, reinforce key infrastructure like power and communications, and deploy rescue teams and supplies under the four on the spot principle. Local authoritiess must ban vessels from going to sea and ensure no one remains on board during the storm. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha is overseeing the national response. Ministries have dispatched teams to high-risk provinces, while media agencies are boosting public alerts. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has also issued an urgent directive for airports and airlines to prepare for storm Wipha, prioritising safety and minimising flight disruptions. Airports in affected areas are ordered to inspect infrastructure, prevent flooding, and maintain 24/7 operations. Airlines must monitor weather updates, adjust flight schedules, and coordinate closely to ensure safety for passengers and crews. The aviation sector warns that flight times may change as the storm develops, with safety as the top priority. - Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Vietnam's fertility rate drops to historic low; country now undergoing rapid ageing of the population, says govt
The Vietnam govt has announced that the total fertility rate has decreased from 2.01 children per woman in 2022 to 1.96 in 2023 and 1.91 in 2024. -- Photo: Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (dpa): Vietnam is facing major challenges, including the lowest fertility rate in its history, a severe gender imbalance at birth and the rapid ageing of the population, the government said on Friday. "The total fertility rate has dropped to its lowest level in history and is expected to continue to decrease in the coming years," Health Minister Dao Hong Lan said at a meeting on the occasion of World Population Day, adding that these challenges affect the country's sustainable development. Citing the results of the population change survey in April 2024, Lan pointed out that the total fertility rate has decreased from 2.01 children per woman in 2022 to 1.96 in 2023 and 1.91 in 2024. This is the lowest level in Vietnam's demographic history. A rate of 2.1 is usually needed for population replacement. Vietnam's population is currently estimated at about 103 million people. The Vietnamese government wants the population to grow, but in a balanced and sustainable way. It has encouraged couples to have two children, especially in urban areas, and offers incentives such as financial support, longer maternity leave and childcare. Although it has been controlled, the gender imbalance at birth is also of concern. Specifically, the ratio was 110.5 boys to 100 girls in 2009, increased to 111.5 boys to 100 girls in 2019, and is currently at 111.4 boys to 100 girls in 2024. This imbalance negatively impacts the future population structure, leading to a surplus of men: The General Statistics Office predicts that if the gender imbalance at birth remains high, Vietnam will have a surplus of 1.5 million men aged 15 to 49 by 2034, and this number could reach 1.8 million by 2059. - dpa
The Star
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Foreign visitors to Vietnam near 10.7 million in H1, half of full-year target
Asia remained the largest market, accounting for over 8.41 million visitors (over 78%), marking a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from Europe rose 26.5% to 1.34 million, while visitors from the Americas grew 8.6% to 582,800. - Photo: Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnam welcomed nearly 10.7 million international arrivals in the first half of 2025, marking an increase of nearly 21% compared to the same period last year, and up 26% compared to 2019 – the 'golden era' of Vietnamese tourism before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. According to newly released data from the National Statistics Office, in June alone, Vietnam received nearly 1.5 million foreign visitors, down 4% from the previous month. The H1 figure stood at 49% of the full-year target of 22-23 million tourists, but it should be noted that the peak international tourism season in Vietnam lasts from October to March. Air travel remained dominant, with over 9 million arrivals by air (accounting for over 85% of the total number, and up by 22.7% year-on-year, followed by nearly 1.4 million by land, and the remainder arriving by sea. Asia remained the largest market, accounting for over 8.41 million visitors (over 78%), marking a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from Europe rose 26.5% to 1.34 million, while visitors from the Americas grew 8.6% to 582,800. Tourist numbers from Oceania reached 304,200, up 14.1%, whereas arrivals from Africa edged down 0.3% to 25,200. Tourists from Northeast Asia account for 60% of total international visitors to Vietnam in the first half. Chinese tourists continue to top the list with over 2.7 million arrivals, followed by those from the Republic of Korea with 2.2 million. Next in line are visitors from Japan, Taiwan (China), the United States, and India. In the opposite direction, more than 4 million Vietnamese travelled abroad in the past six months – a rise of nearly 54% compared to the same period last year. 'Transport and tourism activities have surged to meet consumer demand both regionally and globally, making a positive contribution to economic growth. The value added by the service sector in the first half of the year rose by over 8% year-on-year – the highest rate for the same period since 2011,' the statistics office noted. According to a report by leading consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Vietnam ranks among the world's top emerging tourism markets, alongside China, India, and Saudi Arabia. These markets are quickly overtaking traditional tourism powerhouses such as the US, the UK, and Germany. The May edition of the World Tourism Barometer published by the US Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) revealed that in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam recorded the sixth-highest growth in international arrivals worldwide – up 30% from the same period in 2024. Within the Asia–Pacific region, Vietnam ranked first, followed by Japan and the Republic of Palau. Bloomberg reported that Vietnam has emerged as the third most-visited country in Southeast Asia, with 17.5 million international visitors last year – surpassing Singapore and trailing only Malaysia (25 million visitors) and Thailand (35 million visitors). Experts believe the growing number of direct flights from other countries to Vietnam is one of the key factors fuelling the country's tourism. - Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam approves plans for international financial centre amid US trade pressure
The centres will operate under unified management, with Ho Chi Minh City focusing on capital, banking, and currency markets, and Danang. - Photo: Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Reuters): Vietnam's lawmakers approved a plan to establish international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to attract investment and strengthen its global financial standing as economic uncertainties rise. The centres will operate under unified management, with Ho Chi Minh City focusing on capital, banking, and currency markets, and Danang on sustainable and green finance, leveraging its strategic location near East-West economic corridors, the government said in a statement. Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang called the policies "innovative and competitive," noting their alignment with international standards, the statement added. A key feature will allow members of the centres to secure international financing and use foreign currency for transactions. Vietnam's foreign investment inflows rose 7.9% to $8.9 billion in the first five months of the year, while pledges surged 51.1% to $18.4 billion, the government said. However, the United States has threatened to impose 46% tariffs on Vietnamese exports unless concessions are made, which could slow the momentum. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said earlier this week that Vietnam expects to reach a trade deal with the United States within two weeks. The financial centres will adopt international accounting and financial standards, including capital adequacy and liquidity ratios for both domestic and foreign-owned banks, the government added. Vietnam remains a key manufacturing hub for global firms such as Samsung Electronics, Foxconn, Intel, Nike, and Adidas. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by David Stanway)
The Star
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PM orders urgent action to prepare for storm season
Officers and soldiers assist residents in Hue City to harvest rice submerged by floods following Storm Wutip on June 13. -VNA/VNS/ANN HANOI: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a new directive calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery ahead of the 2025 rainy and storm season. The directive, signed on Thursday (June 19), comes amid concerns over fragmented regulations, weak infrastructure and increasingly erratic weather patterns caused by climate change. Ministries, provinces and agencies are instructed to ensure continuous monitoring, timely response and clear communication across all levels. Local leaders must maintain full operational capacity during the merging of administrative units and ensure uninterrupted leadership during disasters. Authorities are tasked with updating emergency response plans, addressing risks exposed during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and improving infrastructure resilience, particularly dykes, dams, power and telecom systems, and urban drainage. The PM emphasised the "four on-the-spot" approach, i.e., on-the-spot command, on-the-spot manpower, on-the-spot supplies and on-the-spot logistics, to reduce damage, especially human casualties. Heads of provincial and municipal governments are held accountable for all disaster response operations in their jurisdictions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will oversee weather monitoring and accelerate digital transformation in forecasting and early warning systems. It must also coordinate with other ministries to finalise flood management plans for key river basins and ensure safe reservoir operations. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be responsible for hydropower safety and electricity supply, while the Ministry of Construction must tackle urban flooding, particularly in major cities. The Ministry of National Defence is finalising a decree to implement the Civil Defence Law and will lead efforts to mobilise resources during emergencies. The Ministries of Public Security; Education; and Finance are also directed to prepare safety measures for vulnerable communities, schools and ensure funding for disaster recovery. Meanwhile, national media outlets are tasked with raising public awareness and providing timely, accurate updates on disaster situations. The directive assigns Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee the implementation of these measures, while the Government Office will monitor progress and report emerging issues directly to the PM. - Vietnam News/ANN
