40-year-old Luan, owner of a seafood business in Bai Chay, Quang Ninh province, began renting over 10 five-ton containers on the morning of 21/7. He arranged them to create a sturdy wall around his 5,000 m2 business premises. By late afternoon, the metal "rampart" was complete.

Each container costs 6 million VND per day, and with an estimated three-day rental until the typhoon passes, the total cost is nearly 200 million VND. However, if the weather worsens, the rental period may be extended.

Luan's 5,000 m2 shop in Bai Chay has cranes moving containers into position for typhoon protection, morning of 21/7. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Explaining his decision, Luan described having underestimated Typhoon Yagi the previous year, resulting in significant damage to his shop. The post-typhoon repairs and equipment replacement were costly.

"Learning from last year, I decided to rent containers to block the wind and minimize potential damage, despite the high cost," Luan said.

Five containers shield the front of Luan's shop in Bai Chay, Quang Ninh province, afternoon of 21/7. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Beyond protecting his business, Luan also stored his family's Range Rover inside one of the containers. He felt this was the safest option, as leaving the car outside risked damage from flying debris, while parking it in the apartment building's underground garage posed a flooding risk.

Luan drives his family's expensive car into a container for protection from the typhoon, afternoon of 21/7. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 9 a.m. that day, the eye of Typhoon Wipha made landfall in the coastal provinces of the northern delta. With maximum sustained winds of 88 km/h and gusts reaching higher speeds, the typhoon was moving west-southwest at 10-15 km/h.

Coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Nghe An experienced strong winds, reaching higher intensities near the typhoon's center. Inland areas further from the coast also experienced strong winds. Winds of this strength can topple trees and power lines, tear off roofs, and cause significant damage.

The meteorological agency warned of potential flooding in rivers across northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An from now until 25/7, with water levels expected to rise 3-5 meters. Flood peaks in the upper reaches of the Thao, Lo, and Ma rivers are predicted to reach warning levels one and two.

Quynh Nguyen