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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
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Australian golf legend Greg Norman reappointed as Vietnam's Tourism Ambassador
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong (right) officially presents the decision appointing global golf legend Gregory John Norman as Vietnam's Tourism Ambassador for the 2025–2030 term. - Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Australian golf legend Gregory John Norman has been reappointed as Vietnam's Tourism Ambassador for 2025-2030, announced by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong on Friday night. Phong praised Norman's impactful golf career and his role in promoting Vietnam's golf tourism during his first term from 2018 to 2021. His efforts helped position Vietnam as a premier golf destination, contributing to the country's growth in international tourism, which saw 17.6 million visitors, including over 3 million golfers, in 2024. In his new term, Norman said he will do his utmost to promote Vietnam not only as a premier golf destination, but also as a land of heritage, nature, culture, and friendly people, thus expanding Vietnam's tourism appeal worldwide. His plans include organising international golf events, launching the Greg Norman Golf Academy, and providing advice on sustainable golf course development. He will also connect golf tourism with cultural and heritage tourism through events like the Heritage Golf Tournament in central Vietnam. Under Norman's first term, Vietnam won the title of 'Best Golf Destination in Asia' for eight consecutive years and 'Best Golf Destination in the World' in 2019 and 2021. His reappointment is a strategic move to attract high-end international tourists, particularly from the US and Australia, boosting Vietnam's reputation as a diverse tourism hub. -- Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Vietnamese authorities crack down on unsafe tourism jeeps and UAZ vehicles to ensure tourists' safety
Image from Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Bernama-VNA): The Vietnamese National Traffic Safety Committee has called on provincial and municipal Traffic Safety Boards to review and strictly handle violations involving Jeep and UAZ vehicles that do not meet safety regulations or legal requirements for passenger transport services. According to Vietnam News Agency (VNA), in a directive signed on Thursday (July 17), Standing Vice Chairman Le Kim Thanh noted that in several tourist destinations, outdated Jeep and UAZ vehicles have been operating without transport permits, service markings, or proper business registration. Despite lacking these credentials, many are used to carry paying passengers, raising serious safety concerns. To ensure compliance with traffic regulations and protect tourists, the committee requested that Hanoi and Lam Dong, the two localities with growing numbers of such services, direct their Departments of Construction and relevant agencies to inspect and strictly handle these unauthorised operations. This includes vehicles that have not converted their licence plates for commercial use or obtained mandatory signage. The committee also called on local Traffic Safety Boards nationwide to strengthen enforcement efforts, raise public awareness of passenger transport regulations, and crack down on vehicles operating without the required conditions, particularly older Jeep and UAZ models, which pose heightened safety risks. In addition, the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism were asked to review traffic safety practices at tourism service providers offering Jeep tours. Earlier media reported that in central Hanoi, old military-style vehicles such as UAZ, Gaz69, and Jeeps, which are often modified for sightseeing, are commonly seen transporting foreign tourists. Many of these vehicles, decades old, carry more passengers than allowed, with temporary seats and unsafe structural modifications, posing serious dangers as they navigate crowded urban streets. -- Bernama-VNA
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam targets US$4.5bil in cashew exports for 2025
HANOI: Vietnam is aiming to export cashews worth US$4.5 billion in 2025, up 2.7 per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. To hit this target, the sector must generate around $2.2 billion in the second half. Figures from the first six months show cashew exports reached 346,800 tonnes, earning $2.36 billion, a drop of 2.7 per cent in volume but a surge of 20.4 per cent in value annually. The rise was largely attributed to a significant increase in export prices, which helped offset lower shipment volumes. The average export price in the first half stood at more than $6,805 per tonne, up 23.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. China, the US and the Netherlands remained Vietnam's top three cashew buyers, accounting for 22 per cent, 21.6 per cent, and 8.4 per cent of total export value, respectively. Compared to the similar period last year, cashew export revenues rose by 41.2 per cent to China, 0.1 per cent to the US, and 22.4 per cent to the Netherlands. To sustain growth, the ministry is calling for stepped-up efforts to tap into emerging markets with strong demand but limited Vietnamese presence, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The EU, now Vietnam's third-largest cashew market, has also shown consistent growth in recent years. A further boost to the industry is the recent decline in raw cashew prices, down from $1,450 to $1,350 per tonne, which offers cost advantages for manufacturers ahead of the peak export season around year-end festivals and the Lunar New Year. The Vietnam Cashew Association has forecast the global market to grow at an annual average rate of 4.6 per cent between 2022 and 2027. In 2024, Vietnam exported a record 730,000 tonnes of cashews, earning $4.37 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20.2 per cent. — 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
