Vietnam on Edge as Typhoon Kajiki Forces Mass Evacuations

Vietnam is bracing for Typhoon Kajiki, an “extremely dangerous” storm that has already triggered large-scale evacuations, flight cancellations, and the shutdown of schools and airports.

The government said about 30,000 people have already been moved from coastal zones, with over 500,000 expected to follow. Authorities have banned all ships from heading to sea, while those already offshore are being called back to port.

More than 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel have been mobilised for rescue operations and to assist evacuees. Officials warn the typhoon could bring winds of 166km/h (103mph), along with flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Two major airports — Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh — have been closed. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air cancelled dozens of flights in anticipation of the storm.

The coastal city of Vinh was hit with heavy rain overnight. Streets were flooded and deserted, with most businesses shuttered. Locals sandbagged shop entrances, preparing for the worst.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha warned that houses could collapse and even high-rises may face serious structural damage.

Kajiki struck China’s Hainan Island on Sunday, forcing 20,000 people to evacuate there before the province downgraded its emergency alerts on Monday. The storm is expected to move inland, cutting across Laos and northern Thailand after slamming into Vietnam.

Vietnam has faced devastating storms before. Last year, Typhoon Yagi killed 300 people and caused $3.3bn in damage. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, over 100 people have died or gone missing due to natural disasters.