The tropical depression intensified into the first storm of Vietnam’s 2026 typhoon season, internationally named Maysak, on July 3 morning, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 10:00 the same day, the storm’s centre sat roughly 90km south of China’s Hainan island, packing maximum sustained winds of 62-88 kph. Forecasters said it is set to move into the Gulf of Tonkin and affect northeastern Vietnam in the coming days.

The ministry told local authorities to strictly comply with an urgent dispatch on storm and flood preparedness issued by the National Civil Defence Steering Committee the same day.

Local authorities were ordered to pool personnel, equipment and emergency supplies for dyke protection, carry out on-site inspections of readiness measures, and stay prepared to respond to any incidents.

They must closely track the storm’s path, rainfall and the condition of dyke networks, and report any damage or emergencies immediately to the ministry via the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority for a coordinated response.

Separately, the Hung Yen provincial People’s Committee imposed an emergency sea ban effective on 16:00 on July 3, barring all vessels from sailing and suspending fishing, aquaculture and all other activities in estuaries, coastal waters and offshore areas.

First storm of 2026 heads toward Quang Ninh, bringing heavy rain to northern Vietnam

VOV.VN - Storm No. 1, Vietnam’s first storm of 2026, is moving toward the Gulf of Tonkin and may directly affect Quang Ninh province in the coming days, bringing strong winds, rough seas, rising sea levels and heavy rain across northeastern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa province.