Saturday, September 7, 2024 Super Typhoon Yagi has left hundreds of Vietnamese tourists stranded in China, disrupting flights as major airports in northern Vietnam and China face closures. Vietnamese tourists currently in Hainan and Guizhou, China, are facing significant challenges returning to Hanoi due to Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to impact Asia this year. The typhoon has forced thousands of travelers to reschedule their flights as airports in northern Vietnam and China experience closures and severe restrictions.
Several major airports in northern Vietnam, including Van Don, Cat Bi, Noi Bai, and Tho Xuan, have suspended operations from 10 AM to 9 PM on September 7 due to the storm. Airports in the affected regions of China have also ceased operations, compounding the travel disruption. As a result, many Vietnamese travelers are stranded.
Nhue Thi Ngan, General Director of Hanoi Tourism JSC, reported that while tours to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, scheduled to return between September 3 and 5, were completed successfully, some groups have faced cancellations and rescheduled flights. A group returning from Hainan on September 5 had to cancel their trip, while another group’s flight on September 7 has been moved to September 8. Additionally, a group traveling to Thailand on September 7 has also postponed their departure to September 8.
Despite these setbacks, Ngan noted that their partners in China are providing accommodations and meals at no extra cost for the stranded travelers. Some groups, like those in Hainan, have opted to cover additional costs, such as extra meals. Negotiations with partners have been smooth, given the understanding of the typhoon’s impact.
However, certain groups traveling to South Korea and Japan on the night of September 7 and early September 8 are still waiting for updates from airlines regarding potential schedule changes. Nguyen Thi Thu, Director of Alibaba Vietnam Travel Company, reported minimal disruption so far. A tour to Zhangjiajie scheduled for the afternoon of September 6 proceeded as planned.
However, a flight to Hainan set for the evening of September 7 has been postponed to 8:30 AM on September 8. Thu is hopeful for improved weather conditions and readiness in Hainan for tourists post-storm. Tours to and from Yunnan are also set for September 8, pending further airline updates.
To date, Alibaba Vietnam Travel Company estimates that around 300 customers have been affected by the typhoon’s impact. In response to the storm, major Vietnamese airlines have adjusted their schedules. Vietnam Airlines has canceled and rescheduled over 110 flights, including 34 cancellations and 78 schedule changes for both domestic and international routes.
Vietjet has suspended 67 flights to and from Noi Bai Airport on September 7, with similar cancellations affecting Cat Bi and Tho Xuan Airports. Bamboo Airways has also canceled 14 flights on September 7. The disruptions caused by Typhoon Yagi are ongoing, with efforts focused on managing the situation and ensuring the safety and comfort of affected travelers.
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