Authorities in Vietnam ordered the evacuation of more than 500,000 people from four coastal provinces as Typhoon Kajiki approached landfall.
Residents in Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang were told to move inland, affecting over 150,000 households.
Airlines including Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet canceled flights due to the dangerous weather.
The storm, tracked by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center, was moving across the South China Sea with winds reaching 175 kilometers per hour (109 mph).
Vietnam’s national weather agency forecast landfall around 1:00 p.m. local time, with winds slowing slightly to 157 kilometers per hour (97 mph).
Ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, heavy rains swept through the coastal city of Vinh, where many businesses remained shut.
Images showed streets nearly empty, hotels reinforced with metal sheets, and residents preparing for flooding.
The storm comes after Typhoon Yagi, which caused $3.3 billion (€2.82 billion) in damage in Vietnam last year.
Kajiki’s path is expected to add more hardship to the region, already prone to seasonal storms and flooding.
China has also taken emergency measures as the typhoon edges toward Hainan Island.
More than 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate, with the resort city of Sanya shutting down schools, tourist sites, shops, offices, and public transport.
Local authorities advised residents to remain indoors, while strong winds also affected nearby areas of Guangdong province.
Kajiki is expected to bring torrential rain, storm surges, and possible flash floods across both Vietnam and southern China in the coming days.