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Typhoon Bualoi causes severe damage in Vietnam, kills 13 people13 people remain missing, 46 others injuredStorm weakens to depression as it moves into LaosTyphoon Bualoi tore through Vietnam's coast on Monday, killing at least 13 people and injuring 46, the government said, while accompanying strong winds and rains damaged homes, snapped power links and flooded roads.Bualoi weakened into a depression heading for Laos after having made landfall early on Monday, and had whipped up waves as much as 8 m high as it moved along the northern central coast, the national weather agency said.**media[362626]**Among the missing are fishermen whose boats were washed away off the province of Quang Tri, while another fishing boat lost contact, the government's disaster management agency said."I stayed awake the whole night, fearing the door would be pulled off by strong winds," said Ho Van Quynh of Nghe An province.His neighbours said they spent the night trying to protect their homes after their apartment building lost power.**media[362624]**"I've witnessed many storms, and this is one of the strongest," said 45-year-old Nguyen Tuan Vinh.The government evacuated more than 28,500 people before the typhoon hit, while hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled by the closure of four airports in central provinces.Strong winds killed nine people and injured seven in the province of Ninh Binh, the Vietnam News Agency said.**media[362627]**One person died in floodwaters in Hue city, and a falling tree killed another in Thanh Hoa province, the disaster management agency said.Bualoi has damaged more than 44,000 homes, inundated nearly 6,000 hectares of rice and other crops, and cut access to several areas, the government said.It mentioned no major damage to industrial properties, though large factories in or near the typhoon's path included some owned by Foxconn, Formosa Plastics, Luxshare and Vinfast.**media[362628]**Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the defence and public security ministries to urgently send troops and policemen to help tackle the storm's aftermath.The cyclone has triggered heavy rains across most of Vietnam since Saturday, prompting authorities to warn of a high risk of severe floods and landslides.Water rose to alarming levels in rivers and reservoirs in the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa, the government said, with tens of thousands of families also hit by power blackouts.**media[362625]**Rainfall of 500 mm was forecast in several areas over the period from Sunday night through Tuesday, weather authorities said.With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that often form east of the Philippines, where Bualoi killed at least 10 people last week.

Vietnam plans to evacuate more than 250,000 residents from coastal areas on Sunday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Bualoi, which is expected to lash the country's steel-producing central belt.The storm -- the 10th to affect Vietnam this year -- is currently at sea generating winds of 130 kilometres per hour and is expected to make landfall at 7:00 pm (1200 GMT), according to the meteorology agency.Central Vietnam's largest city Danang plans evacuate more than 210,000 residents, state media reported, while more than 32,000 residents of Hue living near coastal areas are also set to be moved to safer areas.More than 15,000 residents in Ha Tinh -- known as a key steel production hub -- have been slated for evacuation to schools and medical centres converted into temporary shelters, authorities said.Nearly 117,000 military personnel have been mobilised. Four domestic airports were shut and all fishing boats in the typhoon's path have been called back to harbour."I feel a bit anxious but still hopeful that everything will be fine in the aftermath. We were all safe after the recent typhoon Kajiki. I hope this one will be the same or less severe," Nguyen Cuong, 29, a resident of Ha Tinh City, told AFP.The typhoon is expected to pack winds of around 133 kph as it makes landfall on Sunday evening, Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said on its website."This is a fast-moving storm with very strong intensity and a wide area of impact, capable of causing a combination of various types of natural disasters such as strong winds, heavy rain, floods, landslides, and coastal inundation," state media quoted centre director Mai Van Khiem as saying.Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful as the world warms due to the effects of human-driven climate change.In Vietnam, more than 100 people were killed or missing from natural disasters in the first seven months of 2025, according to the agriculture ministry.Vietnam suffered $3.3 billion in economic losses last September as a result of Typhoon Yagi, which swept across the country's north and caused hundreds of fatalities.

The “Vietnam's Soul” arts exhibition, open at Katara Cultural Village's Building 47 until September 20, features 11 paintings by both emerging and established Vietnamese artists.Katara is organising this exhibition in co-operation with the embassy of Vietnam in Qatar.Through diverse artistic styles ranging from impressionism to realism and stylised realism, the artists present a fresh and inspiring vision of Vietnam’s culture, its people, and its landscapes.The works harmoniously blend tradition and modernity, resembling silent stories told through colours, shapes, and emotions, inviting visitors into a vibrant contemplative space.The exhibition was inaugurated on Tuesday by Katara deputy general manager and human resources director Saif Saad al-Dosari, in the presence of Vietnam ambassador Nguyen Huy Hiep, a number of other ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, and cultural and art enthusiasts.Nguyen said that the exhibition brings together a diverse collection of paintings by three talented Vietnamese artists from different generations.One of them, Nguyen Minh Son, is a master of Impressionist landscape painting and one of Vietnam’s leading contemporary artists.His works capture the quiet beauty of the Vietnamese countryside, with vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes that reflect both emotion and nostalgia."I believe these paintings go far beyond visual beauty,” ambassador Nguyen said. “They capture the soul and essence of Vietnam, reflecting the resilience, warmth, and creativity of the Vietnamese people.”“Each piece carries with it a story about our landscapes, our culture, and our way of life, offering visitors a unique perspective on how Vietnam sees itself and the world,” the envoy added."However, this exhibition is not only about art. Its significance lies in its role as a cultural bridge,” he continued. “In diplomacy, cultural exchange is one of the most effective ways to foster mutual understanding and trust between nations.”“By sharing the stories and spirit of Vietnam through these artworks, we hope to bring the people of Qatar closer to Vietnam, and to deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries," Nguyen stressed.The envoy stated that the title of the exhibition, “Vietnam's Soul”, was chosen carefully."It reflects our aspiration to present to the audience not just images, but the true spirit of our nation, our love for peace, our respect for diversity, and our enduring optimism for the future,” Nguyen explained. “This spirit, we hope, will resonate with everyone who visits the exhibition, regardless of background or nationality."He thanked Katara for providing such a prestigious venue for the exhibition."Katara is not only a cultural landmark of Qatar, but also a symbol of the country’s commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding among civilisations," the envoy said."My hope is that visitors to the exhibition will leave not only with an appreciation of the paintings but also with a deeper connection to Vietnam, its people, and its enduring spirit,” he said. “I believe this exhibition will open the door for more cultural exchanges in the future, and perhaps even inspire friends in Qatar to visit Vietnam, to experience firsthand the country behind these beautiful works of art."