Dozens drown as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam

A tourist boat named Wonder Sea capsized in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay on July 19, 2025, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The boat was carrying 48 passengers and 5 crew members when it was struck by a sudden and intense thunderstorm with strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing it to overturn. 

The incident occurred as the vessel was passing east of Dau Go Cave, a popular tourist spot in the bay. Many of the passengers were families visiting from Hanoi, with over 20 children among them. While 11 individuals were rescued, a large number of people unfortunately drowned. 

The death toll initially varied in reports, but was ultimately reported by the government to have climbed to at least 38, with rescuers continuing to search for those still missing. Some sources stated the death toll to be 37 with 5 missing, while others reported 34 dead with 8 missing. The incident has been described as one of the worst boating accidents in Vietnam in recent years.