Update from Typhoon Yagi Sept. 14

10d ago (edited) in 📰Vietnam News/Events

Thanks to Phil Hoolihan for the update from up north:

SAPA - Glorious sunshine in Sapa today. The town and wider district is now fully open for trekking, homestays, motorbike loops, Fansipan, and all other attractions. Hotels and restaurants are open as normal as well. Bus access is running as normal but the Hanoi to Lao Cai train isn’t yet running. Tourism numbers are very low at the moment, so travellers are experiencing wonderful views without the crowd right now. Fansipan only saw a sprinkling of guests yesterday as the first travellers make their way up to Sapa after the typhoon.

MU CANG CHAI - The district is fully open and welcoming guests. Access from both Nghia Lo or Sapa by motorbike is now doable and the QL32 is navigable, despite considerable landslides during the typhoon. All have been cleared and road travel is accessible by car or bus. The rice fields are absolutely spectacular at this time of year and similarly to Sapa, it’s very quiet, so it’s a very good time to visit the area without any crowds.

HA GIANG - The main Ha Giang Loop continues to receive travellers and those who’ve done the loop over the last two or three days have reported good weather and enjoyable experiences. Lung Cu and the Ma Pi Leng pass are both accessible. The Nho Que River is also accessible from Meo Vac. Highway access to Ha Giang from Hanoi running as normal but the Sapa to Ha Giang route isn’t yet open. Western Ha Giang is still experiencing great disruption, but this will not directly influence any Ha Giang Loop tours unless you’re making your way to the area yourself by motorbike.

HANOI - 70% of a reported 10,589 fallen trees and broken branches have now been cleared by the the city's management.All museums, pagodas and tourist attractions are now open with no reported issues. Flood levels are receding in all affected areas of the city. The old quarter and French quarter remain fully accessible. Noi Bai airport is fully operational and access to the Old Quater is fine. Trains to Lao Cai are not running, with a review expected today and plans to reopen tomorrow.

HALONG - Ha Long Bay is now open. The Red River Delta emerges in Nam Dinh, approximately 70km south of Ha Long Bay. Long shore drift is predominantly southwards, so beach areas like Sam Son will be more impacted by flood waters and debris associated with Typhoon Yagi than Halong. That said, expect continued minor disruptions. One or two sunken cruise ships are yet to be removed and there may be some floating debris if you travel to the area in the coming days. Water in the bay may contain more soil particulates for some time yet. Local tour operators are highly concerned by long term cancellations. If you plan to visit the area in the coming weeks or months, you are highly unlikely to notice any long term change from before Yagi.

NINH BINH - Many people agree that most beautiful parts of Ninh Binh are around Tam Coc, Hoa Lu and Trang An. Boat tours in these areas are running, but on fewer routes than normal. Cave access is not possible yet as the water level are still too high. Floodwaters on rivers in Ninh Binh and Ha Nam have receded, but many residential areas outside the dykes are still flooded. Through traffic in these areas is not yet possible and is affecting people's daily lives. Residents of Gia Thuy commune (Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh) said that floodwaters causing inundation in residential areas have been occurring for the past five days. The road from Gia Thuy commune to Gia Tuong is also submerged by floodwaters from the Hoang Long river.

RED RIVER BASIN - Massive cleanup operations are well underway with thousands of volunteers and government workers mobilised and cooperating to help those struggling. Thick mud has been left as flood waters subside in Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Pho Rang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen and many other parts of the river flood plain. Water levels in all areas are continuing to fall although travel to these areas remains inadvisable.

CAO BANG - Road access to various villages is still challenging although all of the major through roads are now clear. Bao Lac District has many landslides along roads that still need to be cleared. These may limit access to Ha Giang if you’re travelling overland by motorbike to do the loop. Ban Gioc Waterfall is open with some disruptions.

MAI CHAU - The area is open as usual.

LAO CAI - Lao Cai is reported to have over 246 casualties and counting - the highest in the country. Many small villages have become isolated and accessibility is still limited.

Notes:

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in many localities throughout the region. Most are in small villages that are not on the typical tourist trail, in places that few of us will ever visit. Our thoughts are very much with those who are suffering, especially in regions such as Bac Ha, Muong Hum, Bao Yen and Sim A Cai in Lao Cai Province, Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang and in various localities in Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang. Hundreds of people are now known to have lost their lives and thousands more have been left homeless.

Tourism is a very important industry to tens of thousands of people across the north. I’ve spoken to lots of people in the sector and most are very greatful for the opportunity to work after a very challenging natural disaster. Life must move on for those unaffected as it will greatly assist in solidifying the economy for those who have been impacted. That said, please show empathy when travelling at this time. Your travel plans may be disrupted. You might sometimes be inconvenienced, but please be understanding as to why.

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