The Most Dangerous Storms in Vietnam

Join us as we review the dangerous storms that have struck our country in recent years.

1. Typhoon Xangsane (2006)

Overview map of the storm’s path.

Typhoon Xangsane (meaning “great elephant”) was a powerful storm that formed in the waters east of the Philippines in late September 2006. Upon reaching Vietnam, it was referred to as Typhoon No. 6, significantly impacting the central provinces.

2. Typhoon Lekima (2007)

The storm claimed at least 37 lives and left 24 missing.

Known as Typhoon No. 5, on October 3, 2007, the storm made landfall at the border of Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces with devastating impacts.

During its path, the storm resulted in at least 37 fatalities and 24 people missing.

3. Typhoon Mekkhala (2008)

Storm over Ki Phuong Sea, Ha Tinh.

On September 30, 2008, Typhoon No. 7 penetrated deep into Quang Binh province with wind speeds reaching levels 8 to 9, gusting up to 9.

4. Typhoon Ketsana (2009)

Aftermath of Typhoon No. 9 in Da Nang.

On September 26, 2009, a tropical depression strengthened into the internationally recognized Typhoon Ketsana, corresponding to Typhoon No. 9 in Vietnam. This storm was compared to the super typhoon Xangsane.

5. Typhoon Conson (2010)

The devastating power of Typhoon Conson.

The first tropical storm of the 2010 Pacific typhoon season, on the evening of July 17, the storm made landfall in the areas of Haiphong, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh with storm levels 11 and 12.

6. Typhoon Haiyan (2012)

Typhoon Haiyan at its peak.

Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, or Typhoon No. 14 in Vietnam, is one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded. According to the National Disaster Response Committee, the regions affected by super typhoon Haiyan reported 13 deaths and 81 injuries.

7. Typhoon No. 8 (Typhoon Son Tinh) – October 2012

Typhoon No. 8 (Typhoon Son Tinh) struck Vietnam in late October 2012. Upon entering the East Sea, the storm had winds reaching level 13, with strengths of levels 11-12, gusting to level 14. As it approached the coastal provinces of Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, and Thai Binh, the storm maintained its intensity of levels 11-12, with wind gusts reaching level 14.

Typhoon Son Tinh resulted in 8 deaths, 2 missing, and 90 injuries; 429 houses were collapsed or swept away, and 60,404 houses were damaged; over 33,953 hectares of rice and 90,616 hectares of crops were flooded and damaged.

Typhoon No. 8 in 2012 had direct impacts in Nam Dinh province, knocking down a 180m high transmission tower of the Nam Dinh Radio and Television Station. (Photo: Mai Tu)

8. Typhoon No. 12 (Typhoon Damrey) – November 2017

Typhoon No. 12 (Typhoon Damrey) struck the South Central Coast and part of the Southern Highlands of Vietnam in early November 2017. The storm made landfall in Khánh Hòa and Phú Yên provinces with wind speeds of levels 11-12, gusting at levels 13-14.

This typhoon resulted in 107 deaths, 16 missing, and 342 injuries; over 4,000 houses suffered more than 50% damage; and 11,224 hectares of rice and 27,301 hectares of crops were damaged.

Floodwaters submerged many rural roads in M’Drắk district, Dak Lak province, causing traffic disruptions during Typhoon No. 12 in 2017. (Photo: Phuong Chi)

9. Typhoon No. 9 (Typhoon Molave) – October 2020

Typhoon No. 9 (Typhoon Molave) made landfall in central Vietnam in October 2020, with wind gusts reaching up to 176 km/h in Quảng Ngãi city, and 470mm of rainfall recorded in Sơn Kỳ (Quảng Ngãi) within 24 hours.

Typhoon No. 9 and its swirling aftermath caused heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides that resulted in 80 fatalities and missing persons. Economic damages were estimated at around 10 trillion VND.

Tourist boats and fishermen’s vessels on Ly Son Island (Quảng Ngãi) were sunk and severely damaged by Typhoon No. 9 in 2020. (Photo: Chi Tam).