Emergency services reported that rescue operations were swift, with naval commandos recovering 34 bodies, among them eight children. Ten additional individuals were saved from the waters, including a young boy who had been submerged for hours. Bui Cong Hoan, deputy chairman of the Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, described the incident as the worst he had witnessed in 25 years. All passengers were Vietnamese, and the vessel was returning from a tour of the area’s famed limestone caves when the storm struck.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed civil and military authorities to bolster search efforts as authorities continue to assess the situation. Previous accidents in Vietnam highlight ongoing concerns about tourist boat safety, adding urgency to this incident's investigation.