Tourist Boat Accident in Halong Bay (2025)

The Halong Bay Passenger Boat Accident (2025) was a maritime disaster that occurred on 19 July 2025 in Halong Bay, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam, when the passenger vessel Vịnh Xanh 58 capsized due to a sudden storm. During the incident, the vessel, carrying 53 people, sank, resulting in numerous fatalities.

_{The capsized passenger vessel Vịnh Xanh 58, 19 July 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The accident occurred on Saturday 19 July 2025 in the afternoon in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most visited tourist destinations. The incident is estimated to have taken place at approximately 13:45. At the time, a thunderstorm was affecting the entire region.

The vessel capsized during a brief but intense tropical storm. The National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center reported that this weather event was linked to an atmospheric convergence line passing over the area following three days of high temperatures. During the incident, observers noted sudden darkening of the sea surface, strong winds, heavy rainfall, lightning strikes and reduced visibility.

It was reported that some passengers on board requested to return to shore, but the voyage continued. Dang Anh Tuan, a 36-year-old survivor, stated that the vessel shook violently, items inside moved around, and shortly afterward the boat overturned.

The accident occurred during a voyage of the passenger vessel Vịnh Xanh 58 (registration number QN-7105). A total of 53 people were on board, including five crew members and 48 passengers. All passengers were Vietnamese nationals, among whom approximately 20 were children. The vessel had departed from Bãi Cháy Port in Quảng Ninh Province and was scheduled for a three-hour tour of Halong Bay.

Following the accident, search and rescue operations were conducted with the participation of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s Office, Quảng Ninh Provincial Administration, defense, security and health institutions. Approximately 1,000 personnel and more than 100 vehicles and pieces of equipment were deployed. The operation included coast guard, police, military, naval commandos, fire and rescue units, as well as local fishermen.

_{The capsized passenger vessel Vịnh Xanh 58 being raised to the surface, 19 July 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Rescue efforts continued through the night, and at 03:40 the vessel was lifted to the surface using a crane, after which water was pumped out of its hull. Searches within the interior compartments indicated that some passengers had taken refuge in the engine room, leading to focused efforts in those areas. The search area was expanded to a 7-kilometer radius.

In the initial phase, 11 people were rescued, one of whom later died in hospital. A 14-year-old child survived for four hours inside the overturned hull before being rescued. A total of 37 bodies were recovered. Four individuals remained missing for an extended period.

Some survivors escaped from the water-filled vessel by swimming. Among the rescued, injuries included glass cuts, head trauma and various physical wounds. The injured were treated at Quảng Ninh Provincial Hospital and Bãi Cháy Hospital. Some of the injured children received psychological support.

_{Search and rescue operations aboard the capsized passenger vessel Vịnh Xanh 58, 19 July 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Of a group of 12 friends on board, only three survived. Among the missing were children, family members and crew members.

Following the incident, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha inspected rescue operations on-site. Quảng Ninh Provincial People’s Committee Chairman Pham Duc An also accompanied the operations. The government issued directives to accelerate rescue efforts and enhance safety measures in the region under its crisis management framework.

The 170th Brigade of the People’s Army Navy deployed three vessels, two boats and 30 personnel, while special forces assigned 21 underwater commandos. Technical search operations were carried out using underwater imaging systems and diving teams. The navy, coast guard and border guards coordinated their efforts during the rescue process.

The Vietnamese government announced that financial assistance of 25 million VND would be provided to the families of those who lost their lives, and 8 million VND to the injured. Logistical support was arranged for affected families regarding accommodation and funeral arrangements. The Ministry of Health kept all medical facilities on standby under emergency protocols.

At the international level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye issued a message of condolence to the Vietnamese people for the lives lost in the accident.

Legal and administrative investigations into the accident were initiated by the Vietnamese government. Official statements indicated that the primary cause was attributed to sudden meteorological changes, while evaluations of the crew’s actions and the response process were ongoing. It was reported that life jackets were available on board, but some passengers were unable to use them. The investigation is examining potential negligence by relevant authorities and reviewing maritime safety procedures.