Sunday, July 20, 2025

In one of Vietnam’s worst maritime disasters, 37 people died and five are still missing after a tourist ferry capsized near Ha Long Bay, one of the country’s most treasured travel destinations. The “Wonder Sea” ferry sank Saturday in a sudden storm with a total of 48 passengers and five crew members, causing widespread mourning and the insistence of immediate rescue efforts.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed waters of Ha Long Bay and its dramatic limestone features have long been a draw for domestic and international tourists alike. But on this fateful day, it was the scene of devastation as families, many of whom had traveled from the capital, Hanoi, were enveloped by a severe storm while enjoying their journey through the scenic bay.

The ferry, carrying families, more than 20 of them children, was buffeted by a sudden, intense storm. Torrents of rain, flashes of lightning, and hailstones pelted the ship, which quickly rolled over, throwing passengers into the heaving sea. The vessel shipwrecked hours into the storm, which took both its passengers and the crew by surprise, the Vietnamese news site VNExpress reported.

By the time Saturday evening, 34 bodies were pulled from the wreckage, and 11 passengers were rescued, local authorities reported. Rescue work continued all night in what is expected to be an arduous and heart-rending process, and on Sunday, three more bodies were discovered inside the ferry’s cabin. By the morning of July 20, five people were still unaccounted for, leading both residents and visitors to rally in support. The current search and rescue operation is directed by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

In a heartwrenching account, a 10-year-old child survivor shared how he made it through the ordeal. The young survivor told VietnamNet that he was able to swim out of a hole in the ferry’s hull after it capsized, dived into the water, and then swam for help before he was picked up by soldiers on another boat.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam extended his condolences to the families of the victims and said the government would look into what caused the disaster. The Prime Minister, in a statement, also demanded an “impartial inquiry” and said if any violations or negligence were leading to the disaster, “we will not spare those responsible for the incident and they will be held accountable and quizzed.” His sentiments have been echoed by the victims’ families, who are still in a state of shock over the disappearance of their loved ones.

The disaster has sparked questions about the safety of tourist ferries in Ha Long Bay, a top tourist draw that attracts millions of tourists annually. Authorities in South Korea vowed to review safety rules and toughen inspections in the wake of the tragedy to prevent such recurrences.

Beyond the death toll, the tragedy has prompted new questions about how prepared the region was for extreme weather, especially as storms have hit the region with greater frequency and intensity in recent years. The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting said the storms that hit northern Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay, are not associated with Tropical Storm Wipha in the South China Sea, though Wipha was forecast to strengthen and come ashore early next week.

The Broader Impacts Of Extreme Weather In Northern Vietnam

The heavy weather has hampered rescues so far. Northern Vietnam, which encompasses Hanoi and neighboring provinces, was hit by strong winds and heavy rains that caused extensive damage that including downed trees and flooding. Adapting to New Norms: Members of the government have kept busy assisting areas damaged by the storms and working to mitigate their impact.

What’s more, the recent history of boat accidents in Ha Long Bay makes the urgency around this tragedy all the more real. In 2024, Typhoon Yagi battered the coastal Quang Ninh province of the Southeast Asian nation, sinking 30 vessels. Even so, Ha Long Bay remains a hotspot for travelers who head this way to navigate its calm waters and marvel at its stunning beauty.

But for those touched by this catastrophe, the storm will always cast its shadow on the beauty of the bay. In the days following the tragedy, people in the Ha Long Bay region have rallied to support the grieving families, and local authorities are cooperating closely with the Vietnamese Red Cross to assist the survivors and the families of the deceased.

The authorities continue to search for those missing from the tragic incident, which is reminiscent of the overwhelming heroism of the rescuers as well as the great sorrow of the people in Ha Long Bay and the country. Even though the fate of tourism in Ha Long Bay has been cast into a shadow by this disaster, there is no doubt that this tragedy will ignite strict reforms in safety standards for maritime tourism throughout the country.