A devastating tragedy struck Vietnam’s renowned Ha Long Bay on Saturday, July 19, 2025, when a tour boat capsized during a sudden, violent thunderstorm, leaving at least 37 people dead, including children. The boat, named Wonder Sea and officially registered as QN‑7105, was on a sightseeing trip near the popular Đầu Gỗ (Dau Go) Cave area approximately 200 kilometers from Hanoi when the weather turned deadly without warning. Reports state that the boat was carrying 49 individuals, including 46 passengers and three crew members. Most of the passengers were Vietnamese families from Hanoi, many with young children onboard.
The boat had departed shortly before 1:00 p.m. and was expected to return later in the afternoon, but the joy of the trip quickly turned into horror around 1:30 p.m. as a thunderstorm swept through the bay. Witnesses described how the sky darkened suddenly, followed by torrential rain, strong winds, and crashing waves. The vessel capsized in less than 15 seconds, giving little to no time for passengers to respond. Survivors said they had no chance to grab their children or life jackets before being thrown into the water.
Rescue operations began immediately, involving more than two dozen boats, divers, border patrol units, and local fishermen. A total of 11 people were pulled out alive, although one later died in the hospital. As of Sunday morning, 37 bodies had been recovered, including at least eight children, and two to four individuals were still missing. The Vietnamese government has declared a national day of mourning and launched an investigation into the incident. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính expressed his sorrow and urged authorities to prioritize the recovery of the remaining victims while promising compensation and support for the grieving families.
Some survivors have shared remarkable stories. A 10-year-old boy managed to escape through a shattered window and swim to the surface. A 14-year-old survived for over four hours inside an air pocket in the overturned hull before being rescued. Another survivor drifted for three hours, clinging to a wooden chair before being found. Despite these few miracles, the incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in one of the country’s most visited tourist sites.
Initial reports suggest that most of the passengers were wearing life jackets, indicating that the crew had tried to prepare them. However, the speed and violence of the storm overwhelmed all efforts. Experts noted that the boat was operating legally within its passenger limit, but a review of boat safety, emergency preparedness, and weather monitoring is now underway.
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. It welcomes millions of tourists each year. This incident, one of the worst maritime disasters in recent Vietnamese history, is likely to prompt stricter regulations and heightened scrutiny of tour operators in the region. Many are questioning whether local authorities had issued adequate storm warnings and if tour operators had been negligent in continuing trips despite weather forecasts.
Rescue efforts officially ended early Sunday morning after the vessel was lifted by crane and secured for further examination. The bodies were transferred to local hospitals for identification. Heartbroken families arrived at the port to wait for news, many in tears, holding photos of their missing loved ones. This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the urgent need for better disaster preparedness. As investigations continue and the nation mourns, calls grow louder for greater accountability and more stringent tourism safety standards to prevent such devastating events from recurring.
