Tropical storm Mangkhut, the 6^th to enter the East Sea so far this year, is forecast to become stronger and to lash the north-eastern coastal provinces of Viet Nam.

The storm has moved in a north-westerly direction (Source: VNA)

The storm has moved in a north-westerly direction at a speed of up to 25kph, and carries wind speeds of up to 74kph near its centre.

At 10am today, 7 August, the storm should be positioned on the southern side of China’s Hainan Island, at latitude 18°N and longitude 109°E.

According to the Da Nang Border Guard Command, there had been 777 fishermen on 96 fishing vessels operating at sea up until yesterday afternoon.

In detail, 70 fishermen on 7 fishing vessels were in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago area, 180 were on 35 vessels off the coast of Hai Phong City, 472 on 52 vessels in the coastal areas from Quang Tri to Quang Nam provinces, and 55 on 2 vessels in the coastal areas from Binh Dinh to Khanh Hoa provinces.  At present, all local fishermen and their boats are safe, and they thoroughly understand the evolution of the storm as well as keep regular contact with mainland.