According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at 1 PM, the center of the tropical depression was over Guangxi province. It had maximum sustained winds of 61 km/h, level 7, with gusts up to level 9, and was moving north-northeast at approximately 10 km/h.

The forecast for the next 12 hours indicated the tropical depression would continue moving northeast, gradually weakening into a low-pressure area and dissipating, no longer posing a direct threat to Vietnam.

Maysak was the first storm to form in the East Sea (South China Sea) in 2026. It originated from a tropical depression in the waters northwest of the Hoang Sa archipelago, strengthening into a storm by early morning on 3/7 with an intensity of level 8-9, gusting level 11. The storm then moved slowly west-northwest, then north-northwest, entering the northern Gulf of Tonkin. Despite favorable environmental conditions, it did not intensify further, maintaining a maximum intensity of level 9, gusting level 11.

Walls and embankments in the Mui Ngoc area were toppled by sea waves and storm winds. *Photo: Vu Khuyen*

From early afternoon on 4/7, the storm's circulation began to directly affect Vietnam's Northeast region, bringing strong winds to the coastal areas of Quang Ninh. Around 7 PM, the storm's eye approached the Quang Ninh coast and remained almost "anchored" over the area for more than two hours before making landfall in Mong Cai around 10 PM that day. By approximately 2 AM on 5/7, the storm's eye had moved into southern Guangxi province, China, and continued its north-northeast trajectory.

While approaching the coast, Maysak brought strong winds: level 9, gusting level 11 at Bach Long Vi; level 9, gusting level 12 in Mong Cai; level 8, gusting level 10 at Co To, with waves reaching 2,25 m high; and level 8, gusting level 9 at Cua Ong and Quang Ha. The storm's circulation also caused very heavy rain across Quang Ninh and the Northeast region, with Mong Cai alone recording nearly 250 mm of rainfall in less than one day.

By noon on 5/7, after moving deep into Guangxi province, the storm weakened into a tropical depression. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting assessed Maysak as a storm of moderate intensity but slow-moving, resulting in a prolonged impact. Its extended presence over Quang Ninh's coastal waters before landfall caused continuous strong winds and heavy rain across the Northeast region.

According to a preliminary report from Quang Ninh province, as of 6 AM on 5/7, the storm had unroofed 30 houses, damaged approximately 600 hectares of aquaculture, uprooted or broken 850 trees, and caused damage to numerous structures and vehicles.

During the storm's activity, the National Steering Committee for Civil Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and local authorities continuously issued urgent dispatches in response. They implemented a sea ban, called on vessels to seek shelter, reviewed hazardous areas, prepared for civilian evacuation, and ensured the safety of dikes.

The 2026 storm season is forecast to have fewer storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea directly affecting Vietnam than the multi-year average and fewer than in 2025. However, specialized agencies warned that storm developments remain highly unpredictable due to the impacts of climate change, with trajectory and intensity potentially changing rapidly, especially in the late season.

By Gia Chinh