The province currently has nearly 30 docks located in coastal communes and lagoon areas, and many of these are in makeshift condition.

Around one third of nearly 1,750 boats operating in the sea, and many others working in the rivers or lagoons in the province have no shelter for docking during storms, according to authorities.

The local administration has also said that in the context of the changing and complex weather today, speeding up the work to build the docks would be a sound measure to minimise potential damage to properties and human lives.

The province’s Agriculture and Rural Development office said that some small-sized docks would be built or upgraded with investment between VND1-2 billion ($47,600-95,200).

Last year, Phu Hai dock, worth VND42 billion (US$2 million), was built and put into operation in an area of 11.6 ha in Phu Vang District, becoming the province’s biggest and most modern dock. It includes a wave prevention embankment, a wharf, a logistics service system and has the ability to provide shelter for 500 boats.

However, the dock was designed specifically for boats or ships with a capacity below 90 CV, meaning many larger boats have had to move further when looking for a place for docking.

Thuan An town in Phu An District has around 230 boats, half of which have to go tens of kilometres upstream to find places to hide from storms in the rainy seasons in Hue City.

In the Tam Giang Lagoon, the construction of many docks has not been implemented yet due to funding difficulties.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting yesterday predicted that the eye of storm Gaemi would hit 14.8N and 117.0 E, around 560km east and south-east of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands at 1p.m today.

In the next 2-4 days, they said the storm would move between west and west north-west, at about 15-20km per hour. The storm would continue to cause strong winds and very rough seas in the southern sea areas of the East Sea.