According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), as of 7 a.m., the tropical depression had wind speeds of 49 km/h (level 6), gusting up to level 8, and was moving west-northwest at about 10 km/h. By 7 a.m. on July 5, it is forecast to strengthen to level 6–7, gusting to level 8, while located about 780 km northeast of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.
By 7 a.m. on July 6, the tropical depression is expected to change direction to east-northeast, accelerating to 15–20 km/h, and strengthening to level 7 with gusts two levels higher when it is over the waters southwest of China’s Hainan Island.
Both the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Hong Kong Observatory predict the system will develop into a storm by July 5. It may peak with wind speeds of 120 km/h but is not forecast to affect mainland Viet Nam.
Due to the impact of the system, the northern part of the East Sea of Viet Nam is expected to experience thunderstorms, strong winds at level 6–7, gusting to level 9, and sea waves of 2–4 meters. Vessels operating in this area may be affected.
On July 3, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued a directive to coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to An Giang, urging local authorities to monitor the system’s development and notify shipowners and captains to take proactive avoidance measures.
So far in 2025, one storm named Wutip (Storm No. 1) has formed in the East Sea of Viet Nam. Though it did not make landfall in Viet Nam, the storm’s western circulation brought heavy rainfall to the central provinces between June 11 and 13. Rainfall totals ranged from 300 to 650 mm in areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang, with some places such as Nam Dong (Hue) recording up to 768 mm. River water levels rose to alert levels 2–3.
Flooding and landslides caused 11 fatalities in Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh. Over 3,500 houses were submerged, and about 88,000 hectares of crops were inundated. Landslides and flooding disrupted major highways and provincial roads. Transportation and aviation services were interrupted, with more than 20 flights from Da Nang canceled or delayed. The Miss Grand Vietnam finale scheduled for June 14 on the Perfume River was postponed.
Meteorological forecasts suggest there will be approximately 11–13 storms or tropical depressions in the East Sea of Viet Nam this year. Among them, 5–6 may directly impact mainland Viet Nam. The northern region is at high risk from July to September, while the central and southern regions face higher risk from September to November.
