It has been a wet and miserable few days for swathes of Asia as Typhoon Wipha wreaked (and continues to wreak) havoc in Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, and southern China.
It has left at least five dead in the Philippines, forced hundreds of flight disruptions in Hong Kong and Macau, and intense downpours in China's coastal regions that are expected to continue until tomorrow. This is on top of torrential monsoon rains that left dozens dead in Vietnam and South Korea over the past week.
Typhoon Wipha is now in the South China Sea and headed towards Vietnam. Here's all you need to know about when and where it is expected to hit, and the latest travel advice.
When is Typhoon Wipha expected to hit Vietnam?
The storm is expected to make landfall early this Tuesday (Jul 22), crossing the country's northern coast between Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh provinces.
Are flights into Vietnam affected?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines and its affiliate, Pacific Airlines, have announced multiple flight changes due to Typhoon Wipha, mainly between Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong. The Group also cautioned that multiple domestic and international flights on July 21 and 22 may experience delays and schedule disruptions due to the typhoon.
Budget airlines Vietjet has also cancelled at least 12 flights on Monday, according to The Straits Times.
If you've a flight scheduled into northern Vietnam over the next few days, do check directly with your airline for updates.
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam?
There is no official advisory against travel to Vietnam, but our advice is to lay off your plans or make alternative arrangements if possible.
Vietnam's national weather agency has warned that heavy rains could cause dangerous floods and mudslides, with the country's prime minister Pham Minh Chinh putting coastal provinces on emergency alert. On Sunday night, he sent out an urgent message calling for boats to come ashore, for people to be evacuated from flood-prone areas, and for food supplies and rescue equipment to be readied.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
As there has been no official warning against travel to Vietnam, you won’t automatically be entitled to a refund if you change your travel plans. If in doubt, it's best to contact your airline and travel providers to see what can be done.
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