Typhoon Bualoi’s aftermath is now the main thing disrupting travel in Vietnam, not the storm itself. Since September 26, heavy rain and flooding tied to the typhoon have damaged airport infrastructure, cancelled dozens of trains and forced diversions at one of the country’s busiest airports. Here is what’s actually affecting routes right now, and what to check before you travel.
Airports: Vinh, Dong Hoi and Tho Xuan Hit Hardest
Vinh Airport sustained damage to its terminal and other infrastructure in the storm’s aftermath, with further damage reported at Dong Hoi and Tho Xuan airports. Several flights through these airports have been affected by the resulting harsh weather conditions, and travelers connecting through Central Vietnam and North Central Coast airports should expect delays or changes with limited notice.
Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport: Holding and Diversions
Severe thunderstorms have reached as far as Hanoi, where Noi Bai Airport saw dozens of flights placed in holding patterns or diverted to other airports. If you’re flying into or out of Hanoi in the next few days, check your flight status directly with your airline rather than relying on the printed schedule — conditions are changing quickly. For general airport procedures and what to expect on arrival, see our Vietnamese Airports guide.
Trains: 20 Cancelled, Including Hanoi-Sapa and Reunification Express Services
Rail is where the disruption has been most concrete. Vietnam Railways cancelled 20 trains between September 28 and 30 because of rain and flooding, including Hanoi-Vinh services, the Hanoi-Lao Cai route that connects to Sapa, several North-South Reunification Express departures, and international trains to China. More than 1,300 passengers were transferred to buses around a flooded section of track in Thanh Hoa province to keep journeys moving. If you had a ticket on the Reunification Express or a Hanoi-Lao Cai overnight train this week, a full refund with no cancellation fee is available for cancelled departures — contact the station or booking platform directly rather than waiting for an automatic refund.
If You’re Traveling Hanoi to Sapa, Lao Cai or Central Vietnam This Week
For the Hanoi-Sapa/Lao Cai corridor, build in a buffer day if your train gets cancelled, since replacement seats on sleeper trains can sell out fast during a disruption like this. Travelers heading toward Central Vietnam should treat Dong Hoi and Vinh as the two points most likely to see continued delays, and confirm onward transport (bus or train) before booking accommodation that depends on a tight connection.
What to Do Before You Travel
Check your flight status directly with the airline rather than the airport website, since diversions are being decided close to departure time. For trains, check with Vietnam Railways or your booking platform before heading to the station, and ask specifically about the Hanoi-Vinh, Hanoi-Lao Cai and Reunification Express routes, which have seen the most cancellations. If your journey touches Vinh, Dong Hoi or Thanh Hoa in the next few days, expect the schedule to keep shifting rather than treating today’s information as final.
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