Vietnam

Bão Koto còn cấp 8, sẽ suy yếu trước khi vào đất liền

VN Express | Local Language | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | Extreme Weather Events

As of 4 a.m. on December 1, storm Koto remains at level 8 with maximum winds of 74 km/h over the northwestern waters of the central East Sea (South China Sea). The storm has weakened from level 9 after two days and is moving very slowly due to the influence of multiple weather systems. It is forecast to weaken further to a level-6 tropical depression by 4 a.m. on December 2, located about 170 km east of Gia Lai - Đăk Lăk provinces, and continue weakening into a low-pressure area by December 3 as it approaches the sea area from Gia Lai to Khánh Hòa.

The storm’s weakening is attributed to cold air descending from the north, marking the final stage of its lifecycle. Forecasts from the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Hong Kong Observatory align, indicating Koto’s winds will drop below storm strength within the next 24 hours. Due to the storm, the northwestern waters of the central East Sea are experiencing winds at level 6-8 with waves 2-6 meters high, creating hazardous conditions for vessels operating in the area.

In response, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued an urgent dispatch directing ministries, sectors, and provincial authorities to implement high-level proactive measures to protect lives and minimize damage. Provincial authorities from Quảng Trị to An Giang have informed and guided over 48,000 vessels and nearly 247,000 people for storm avoidance, with no vessels currently in the danger zone. Reservoir levels have also been lowered from Đà Nẵng to Đăk Lăk to enhance downstream flood control capacity.

Storm Koto originated east of the central Philippines as a tropical depression before intensifying into a storm upon entering the South China Sea on November 25. It peaked at level 12 near Song Tử Tây island on November 27 but then weakened and moved slowly. The current storm season has been notably severe, with 15 storms and 6 tropical depressions recorded in the South China Sea since the beginning of the year, the highest in 30 years, surpassing the 2017 record. These events have caused 409 deaths and economic losses exceeding 85,000 billion dong.

Trung Quốc mở cửa, mít Việt hướng tới xuất khẩu tỷ USD

Dantri | Local Language | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

On November 27, 2025, Vietnam and China signed a protocol allowing the official export of fresh Vietnamese jackfruit to China, marking the 11th Vietnamese fruit recognized by China for export. This development signals Vietnam's agricultural products are increasingly meeting China's quality and food safety standards. The fresh jackfruit export to China is viewed as a significant opportunity for Vietnam to develop jackfruit into a billion-dollar agricultural product.

Currently, jackfruit prices in the Mekong Delta provinces are at historic lows, causing instability and financial challenges for farmers who are only covering labor costs amid rising care expenses post-flooding. The official export channel to China is seen as a potential catalyst for price stabilization and income improvement, with Vietnam's jackfruit cultivation covering 84,000 hectares and producing one million tons annually. Despite this scale, export turnover in 2024 was only $146 million, highlighting room for growth.

Experts emphasize that the official export channel is crucial for minimizing legal risks and dependence on fluctuating border policies while improving pricing by meeting China's regulations. However, China has increased quality and traceability controls, slowing jackfruit exports earlier this year. Ensuring product quality and food safety is essential for sustainable and higher prices, especially for farmers in the Mekong Delta. Challenges remain in quality management due to fluctuating exports, logistics issues, and strict quarantine barriers, requiring enhanced farmer awareness, strict input management, and improved safety inspections.

Sustainability in the jackfruit sector depends on food safety, consistent quality, and uniform production, which are currently difficult due to spontaneous cultivation, uncertified varieties, and non-standard care. Achieving steady exports requires all growing areas and packing facilities to be registered with traceability codes and adherence to standards such as VietGAP or GlobalGAP, though planting under these standards remains limited. Coordination among farmers, businesses, and local authorities is necessary to maintain the supply chain and manage risks effectively.

Additionally, planting density poses challenges, particularly for the Thai super-early jackfruit variety, which accounts for about 85% of specialized jackfruit cultivation and is the main export line. Overplanting at twice the recommended tree density has led to pest and disease issues, increasing chemical use beyond safe limits. To comply with China's strict food safety requirements, farmers must reduce planting density to recommended levels of 710–950 trees per hectare in the Mekong Delta and 500–625 in other regions.

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | Extreme Weather Events

The tropical depression rapidly dissipated over the southern East Sea on November 29, degrading into a low-pressure area with wind speeds below 39 km/h. It moved northeast at 10–15 km/h before fully dissipating within 12 hours, posing no further threat of strong winds at sea. This marks the final advisory on the tropical depression, though updates for Typhoon Koto and related marine conditions will continue.

Typhoon Koto, located over the northwestern central East Sea on the same day, maintained wind speeds of level 9 (75–88 km/h) near its eye, with gusts up to level 11. The typhoon was drifting north at about 5 km/h and is expected to slow to 3–5 km/h over the coming days. Its forecasted path includes moving north through November 30, then shifting west on December 1, and southwest by December 2 towards Vietnam’s south-central coast.

The typhoon is expected to weaken rapidly starting December 1, dropping from level 9 to level 8 winds, and further weakening as it approaches the offshore area near Quang Ngai–Dak Lak. It is likely to degrade into a tropical depression upon nearing this coastline. The northwestern central East Sea will experience winds of level 7, with stronger winds of level 8–9 and gusts at level 11 near the typhoon’s center. Waves in the affected areas will be 3–5 meters high, with localized peaks up to 7 meters, resulting in extremely rough sea conditions and significant risks for vessels due to thunderstorms, strong winds, and high waves.