Storm Noul strengthens near Vietnam waters

Photo courtesy of VnExpress

Storm Noul strengthened from a tropical depression late on Thursday and is forecast to enter the northeastern East Sea before moving towards China's Guangdong Province. Vietnamese forecasters say the system is not expected to make a direct impact on the country's mainland, although conditions at sea are likely to deteriorate quickly.

STORM TRACK AND STRENGTH

At 7am on Friday, Noul was about 210 kilometres east of the Philippines' Luzon Island, according to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. It was moving west-northwest at 25 kilometres per hour, with sustained winds of 74 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 102 kilometres per hour.

The storm is expected to reach the northeastern East Sea by Saturday morning and strengthen further. Forecasts indicate sustained winds could rise to 89 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 133 kilometres per hour. By Sunday morning, it is predicted to approach waters off Guangdong, where gusts may reach 149 kilometres per hour before the system makes landfall and weakens.

ROUGH CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT SEA

Vietnamese, Japanese and Hong Kong forecasting agencies broadly agree that Noul will not directly threaten mainland Vietnam. However, strong winds are expected across the northeastern East Sea from Friday evening, with waves of three to five metres.

Conditions close to the storm centre could be substantially worse, with winds reaching 117 kilometres per hour and waves as high as six metres. Vietnam's weather agency has warned vessels about thunderstorms, waterspouts and extremely rough seas.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Travellers on the Vietnamese mainland are not currently expected to face a direct landfall from Noul. The more immediate concern is for ferry services, fishing boats, commercial shipping and anyone planning marine activities in northern offshore waters.

Foreign residents and visitors should monitor official weather and transport announcements, particularly if travelling by sea or flying through areas that could experience knock-on disruption. Plans involving coastal excursions should remain flexible until the storm has moved towards China and sea conditions have settled.

24 July 2026