The storm, internationally named Wipha, is packing winds of 75 kph and is expected to move west-northwest at a speed of 15-20 kph. It is expected to make landfall over China's Leizhou Peninsula Thursday morning with 90 kph winds before moving west toward northern Vietnam on Friday.
The northern port city Hai Phong and the nearby Quang Ninh Province, home to popular Ha Long Bay, are expected to be hit.
The Vietnam forecast center said the storm would cause downpours between Thursday and Saturday in northern Vietnam, the northern highlands, and the north central province of Thanh Hoa./.