Typhoon Wipha Grounds Flights Across Vietnam

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Flooded access road at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport with Vietnam Airlines jet grounded during Typhoon Wipha travel disruption.

Typhoon Wipha weakened to a tropical storm before slamming into northern Vietnam early Tuesday, but it still packed winds over 60 mph and unleashed torrential rain that is battering transport links from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Airlines have cancelled dozens of flights, two regional airports are closed, and monsoon-fueled downpours continue to swamp parts of the Philippines. Authorities warn of life-threatening floods and landslides through mid-week.

Key Points

Why it matters: Wipha is disrupting air, rail, and Cruise itineraries at the height of Asia's Summer Travel season.
Storm made landfall near Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa with 102 km/h winds.
Van Don and Cat Bi airports shut; >100 flights cancelled or delayed.
Philippines sees additional flight cancellations as monsoon rains intensify.
Up to 20 inches of rain could trigger landslides across northern Vietnam.
Storm expected to weaken inland but flooding risk persists through July 24.

Snapshot

As of 4 p.m. local time on July 22, the Japan Meteorological Agency placed Tropical Storm Wipha's center about 40 miles west-southwest of Ninh Binh, tracking inland at 9 mph. Peak sustained winds were 40 mph with higher gusts, yet the storm's broad rainbands are producing 4-8 inches of rainfall per hour in several provinces. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) ordered the closure of Van Don (VDO) and Cat Bi (HPH) from 11 p.m. July 21 to noon July 22, and warned that Noi Bai (HAN) may reduce operations if crosswinds intensify. Philippine carriers cancelled more than a dozen domestic legs Tuesday as "Habagat" monsoon squalls tied to Wipha continue to drench Luzon.

Background

Wipha formed on July 18 east of the Philippines, gaining Typhoon status south of Taiwan on July 20 before skirting Hong Kong on July 21. Early encounters knocked out power to 200,000 homes in Guangdong and forced Cathay Pacific to waive change fees for flights that day. In the Philippines the enhanced southwest monsoon caused at least three deaths, displaced 90,000 residents, and cancelled multiple ferry routes over the weekend. After briefly reaching severe-tropical-storm strength (980 hPa) in the Gulf of Tonkin, Wipha weakened as cooler coastal waters and increased wind shear sapped its core-but its rain field broadened dramatically, setting the stage for Vietnam's current flooding emergency.

Latest Developments

Air Travel Disruptions Widen

Vietnam Airlines Group scrubbed five Ho Chi Minh City-Hai Phong rotations and two Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao services Monday, then cancelled additional Hanoi-Van Don and Hanoi-Hai Phong segments on Tuesday to comply with CAAV directives. Budget carrier VietJet Air reported "over 100 delays" system-wide, advising travelers to monitor SMS updates. Rail operator Vietnam Railways suspended the overnight SE20 service between Hanoi and Da Nang due to downed trees near Thanh Hoa, rerouting passengers on later trains. Cruise lines repositioned Halong Bay day boats to sheltered harbors, and at least three river-cruise departures from Hai Phong were postponed 24 hours.

Philippines Battles Monsoon Flooding

Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport kept all runways open Tuesday, but the Civil Aviation Authority cancelled Cebu Pacific flights to Tacloban, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa, plus several PAL Express turboprop services. Flood-swollen creeks closed segments of the North Luzon Expressway, lengthening shuttle-bus trips to Clark International Airport. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed three storm-related fatalities and continued to verify reports of additional missing persons. Local forecasters warn that the southwest monsoon could remain enhanced through at least Thursday, prolonging travel headaches.

Analysis

For travelers already in northern Vietnam, authorities recommend deferring overland journeys until provincial flood warnings are lifted. Hanoi's Metro lines are operating normally, but surface buses face detours around inundated streets. Travelers transiting through Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, or Hanoi over the next 48 hours should reconfirm flight status, as rolling delays are likely once Van Don and Cat Bi reopen. Those holding non-refundable domestic tickets can request fee-free changes under airlines' weather waivers.

Cruise passengers booked on Halong Bay or Gulf of Tonkin sailings should expect itinerary tweaks or overnight port stays as operators prioritize safety inspections. In the Philippines, secondary airports are most vulnerable to pop-up cancellations because of limited runway lighting and drainage. Visitors heading to Luzon's beach destinations may need to pivot to indoor activities until flood advisories are lifted. Travel Insurance that covers weather-related interruptions could offset unexpected Hotel or rebooking costs, but policies vary-review coverage before filing claims.

While Wipha will continue to lose strength, its slow inland crawl and broad circulation mean rain-induced hazards will outlast the wind threat. Landslide-prone highlands in Vietnam's Northwest and Laos's Xiangkhouang region could see road closures later this week. Travelers with flexible plans might consider rerouting through Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok, both of which remain outside the storm's influence.

Final Thoughts

Typhoon Wipha's downgrade hides a lingering menace that will test Vietnam and the Philippines with flash floods, airport backlogs, and ground-transport snarls for at least two more days. Travelers should build in extra time, monitor airline alerts, and keep alternative routes handy until Wipha's broad rain shield finally dissipates over Laos later this week. Prudent planning now will shorten recovery time once normal schedules resume-especially for those transiting key hubs like Hanoi and Manila at the peak of the summer rush. Stay watchful and flexible amid Typhoon Wipha's ongoing travel disruptions.