On the morning of 22/8, Pham Tri Tuyen, head of the Culture and Society Department of Cat Hai Special Zone, confirmed that Cat Ba island currently hosts over 1,700 tourists, including 250 foreign visitors. Authorities informed residents and tourists about the typhoon's developments, allowing them to make proactive travel and sheltering plans. Despite the sea ban, Tuyen stated, "Many tourists chose to stay on the island after understanding the typhoon situation. Currently, Cat Ba island remains safe," adding that many visitors had returned to the mainland by cable car earlier in the day.

Accommodation establishments on the island offered support plans for guests affected by the sea ban. Nguyen Hai, a homestay owner in Cat Ba, stated he would cover at least 50% of additional room fees for guests whose plans were disrupted by the typhoon. Guests unable to check in due to the typhoon could also cancel their bookings without charge.

Tourists arriving at Cat Ba island from Lan Ha bay during the sea ban, on the morning of 22/8. *Photo: Ninh Hieu*.

Hoang Phuong, a tourist from Hanoi, reported rainy weather on Cat Ba on 22/8, leading to the cancellation of most recreational plans. She had planned to stay until the morning of 24/8 but will likely check out early and return to the mainland by cable car due to a lack of entertainment options. "Due to the rain and wind, shops and restaurants closed early, making it difficult to order dinner to the hotel," she said. The tourist mentioned her family might visit Ha Long for an additional day before returning home.

Cat Ba is the largest island in the Cat Ba archipelago, which comprises 367 islands of varying sizes in the Gulf of Tonkin. It is located about 30 km from the city center and 140 km from Hanoi. Visitors traveling from the mainland to Cat Ba have three options: ferry, speedboat, and cable car. Tourists often choose the ferry as it allows them to bring their personal vehicles to the island.

By 9 a.m. on 22/8, Hai Phong Border Guard had counted and notified 1,620 vessels with nearly 4,500 workers to seek shelter from the typhoon at various berths. By 10 a.m. on the same day, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the typhoon's eye was over the Quang Ninh - Hai Phong sea area, about 120 km north of Bach Long Vi special zone, with maximum winds of 74 km/h, level 8, gusting up two levels. According to Vietnam's typhoon scale, level 8 is the lowest classification considered a typhoon. Rainfall is forecast to continue after the night of 24/8.

Le Tan - Hoai Anh