According to initial reports, the vessel departed at approximately 12:55 PM with 48 passengers and 5 crew members on a scheduled sightseeing tour along Route 2 in Ha Long Bay, which includes stops at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island.

At around 1:30 PM, the boat encountered sudden and severe weather conditions. By 2:05 PM, the Vinh Xanh 58 lost GPS signal and all communication.

Immediate emergency response

Upon receiving the distress alert, the Standing Committee of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party, People's Council, and People's Committee immediately launched emergency response operations. Chairman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee, Pham Duc An, quickly arrived at the scene to directly oversee the rescue and search efforts.

The province mobilized all available resources from various agencies, including the provincial Military Command, Border Guard, Police Department, Ha Long Bay Management Board, Naval Region 1, and local professional diving teams.

Rescue ships, underwater search equipment, and medical personnel were quickly dispatched to respond to the emergency.

A search and rescue command center was established at the provincial Military Command, with coordinated efforts from Military Region 3, the Naval Command, the Coast Guard Command, and the Border Guard Command.

Capsizing confirmed shortly after communication loss

According to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC), by 2:30 PM, the Vinh Xanh 58 was confirmed capsized at coordinates 20°52’24"N – 107°04’3"E, approximately east of Dau Go Cave in Ha Long Bay, at a depth of 7 to 8 meters.

The VMRCC immediately issued maritime alerts, prepared rescue vessels and personnel, and informed the National Civil Defense Command. A delegation led by the center’s General Director joined a task force from the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration to oversee on-site rescue coordination.

The Maritime Administration also directed the maritime authorities of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong to mobilize tugboats, pilot vessels, and other assets from both provinces to support the ongoing rescue efforts.

Authorities in Quang Ninh continue to direct search operations for missing persons, while simultaneously launching a formal investigation to determine the cause of the incident, implement recovery measures, and provide support to victims' families in accordance with legal procedures.

Bao Khanh, Pham Cong, Hoai Anh