Impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi on Central Vietnam
After five hours of intense activity over central Vietnam on Thursday, Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction across the region. The storm particularly affected Quy Nhon, a well-known beach town, where numerous restaurants and coastal resorts were severely damaged, resulting in billions of dong in losses.
By noon on November 7, several hours after the typhoon had weakened into a tropical depression and eventually dissipated into a low-pressure area, Khoa Tan, the owner of the Moc restaurant chain located on Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, was still working to clear the debris from the wreckage. Two out of his four restaurants were almost entirely destroyed, while the remaining two sustained significant damage. Tan estimated the total damage at approximately VND4 billion (US$153,000).
Devastation at Moc Restaurant
Tan’s restaurant in Quy Nhon, central Vietnam, is destroyed by strong winds from Typhoon Kalmaegi. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Tung
Despite efforts to reinforce the structures, strong winds around 8:00 p.m. on November 6, an hour after the storm hit, caused corrugated roofs to be torn off and glass walls to shatter. The owner expects that it will take more than a month to repair the two affected restaurants.
Along coastal roads such as Xuan Dieu and Nguyen Hue, many restaurants and hotels experienced similar devastation. Roofs were blown off, and signs were ripped away. Waves brought debris, including corrugated iron sheets, onto the shore.
On Nguyen Trung Tin Street, the Hoai Huong seafood restaurant chain suffered heavy damage, with its fish pond completely destroyed. The owner of Hoai Huong remarked, “I’ve lived here for 40 years and this is the worst storm I’ve ever seen.”
Damage to Coastal Resorts
Several high-end coastal resorts also faced severe damage. A representative from a five-star resort in Bai Dai, Ghenh Rang Ward, reported that large waves flooded the interiors and shattered multiple tempered glass panels. The representative noted that the resort has been operating for over 10 years without experiencing damage of this severity.
In Nhon Ly Commune, about 20 km from the city center, Tuan, the owner of Chai Village Hotel, reported losses of roughly VND100 million. Despite the damage, Tuan expressed determination to recover. “As long as people and property remain, we’ll do our best to recover,” he said.
Broader Impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi
Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to impact Vietnam this year, originated as a tropical depression over the central Philippines on November 1. The storm caused widespread damage not only in central Vietnam but also in other regions such as Gia Lai and Dak Lak, which are known as Vietnam’s coffee capital.
Before entering the East Sea, Typhoon Kalmaegi swept through the Philippines, resulting in at least 188 deaths. International media described the storm as “the most catastrophic storm in Asia in 2025.” The devastation caused by Kalmaegi highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of such natural disasters, raising concerns about the need for improved preparedness and resilience measures in vulnerable regions.