Typhoon Bualoi left a trail of destruction in Vietnam on Monday, claiming two lives and leaving 17 fishermen missing at sea.

The storm battered the country’s northern central coastline with waves up to eight metres high, flooding communities, damaging 245 homes, and cutting power in several areas.

In Hue city, one person was swept away by floodwaters, while in Thanh Hoa province, another was killed by a falling tree.

At sea, massive waves struck multiple fishing boats off Quang Tri province, sparking desperate search efforts.

“I’ve witnessed many storms, and this is one of the strongest,” said Nguyen Tuan Vinh of Nghe An province, who spent the night clearing debris.

His neighbors stayed awake protecting their homes in fear of roofs being torn away by violent winds.

Ahead of landfall, authorities evacuated over 28,500 people and suspended flights, preventing greater tragedy.

Still, Bualoi’s devastation — from ruined crops to blocked roads — highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities who now face the long road to recovery.