Warden Message: Vietnam Braces for Typhoon Ketsana

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

The U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City issued the following Warden Message on September 28:

This warden message is to notify U.S. citizens of the approach and potential impact of Typhoon Ketsana. According to news reports, Typhoon Ketsana is expected to hit the central coastal area of Vietnam sometime around the morning of Tuesday, September 29 as a Category 1 Typhoon. Sustained maximum wind speeds may be as high as 95mph or 153 km/h. Residents and travelers in the area affected, including the cities of Da Nang and Hue, should take precautionary measures to prepare for the storm. A storm of Typhoon Ketsana’s strength may cause some coastal flooding, and winds may cause damage to trees, shrubbery and unsecured objects. U.S. citizens in the projected path of the storm are strongly urged to monitor media reports and follow all official instructions. Visitors should be familiar with their hotel evacuation plans. Flights into and out of affected airports may be suspended at any time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All U.S. citizens currently in the affected areas should secure their travel documents, (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) by placing them in a safe waterproof location and if possible carry them at all times. U.S. citizens are reminded to stay in contact with friends and family in the United States to keep them apprised of your current whereabouts.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Vietnam are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Vietnam. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi is located at 170 Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, telephone: (84-4) 3850-5000; after hours emergency telephone number: (84-4) 3850-5000; fax: (84-4) 3850-5010. The web site for the U.S. Embassy Hanoi is http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/.

The U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City is located at 4 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, telephone: (84-8) 3520-4200; fax: (84-8) 3520-4244. The web site for the U.S. Consulate General is http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/.