The 2026-2027 El Nino is forecast to become extremely strong, potentially bringing an early end to southern Vietnam’s rainy season and raising the risk of severe heat, drought and saltwater intrusion.

Vietnam is preparing for a potentially turbulent 10 days, with a tropical depression possibly strengthening into a storm while central regions face widespread heavy rain and flash-flood risks.

Northern Vietnam is set for its first cold spell of the 2026-2027 season several days earlier than usual, while forecasters are tracking a tropical system that could strengthen into a storm.

El Niño is forecast to reach very strong intensity from September 2026 to February 2027, requiring relevant ministries, sectors and localities to take proactive and timely measures to respond effectively.

Five storms have already entered the East Sea in the first half of the 2026 storm season, bringing unusual tracks, slow movement and even a rare return from apparent collapse.

A strengthening El Niño is expected to bring significantly higher temperatures and lower rainfall to southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in September 2026, prompting residents to prepare water reserves for daily use and production.

Storm Saudel has moved out of Vietnam’s East Sea and is heading toward southern China, with forecasters expecting it to weaken into a tropical depression.

Storm Saudel has reversed course over the East Sea, adding another twist to an extraordinary journey that saw it make landfall in China, weaken and then regenerate.

Saudel has regained storm strength over the East Sea after weakening over China, but forecasters say it will head northeast and is unlikely to affect Vietnam’s mainland.

A large, dark cloud with a tornado-like shape appeared off the Ninh Binh coast for about 30 minutes, accompanied by strong winds but causing no reported damage.

Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Tuyen Quang were placed under warnings for flash floods, landslides and ground subsidence on August 29, the first day of Vietnam’s National Day holiday.

Northern and north-central Vietnam are forecast to see several spells of heavy rain during the September 2 National Day holiday, while the low-pressure area left by Typhoon Saudel could return to the northern East Sea and strengthen into a storm.

Storm Narra has dissipated over mainland China, but northern Vietnam is not yet in the clear, with another spell of heavy rain forecast for the end of August.

Storm Narra spent five to six days circling the Gulf of Tonkin, repeatedly changing direction in a rare weather pattern that prolonged heavy rain and flooding across northern Vietnam.

Typhoon Narra is moving away and weakening, bringing a sharp drop in rainfall across northern Vietnam. Floodwaters are also receding on many rivers, although some in Bac Ninh remain at the highest warning level.

Storm Narra brought level-11 wind gusts to Bach Long Vi on August 24 as several rivers across northeastern Vietnam remained above the country’s highest flood warning level.

The Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi, Van Don, Co To and Cat Hai special zones and Hon Dau island, as well as coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, will be affected. The disaster risk level is forecast at Level 3.

Tropical Storm Narra is crawling across the Gulf of Tonkin and repeatedly changing direction, threatening northern Vietnam with days of rain and localized totals exceeding 600mm.

Northeastern Vietnam faces days of heavy rain as a tropical depression over the Gulf of Tonkin strengthens and repeatedly changes direction.