Boats to and from the Island returned to normal operations at 6am this morning after weather conditions improved, said Le Hong Thang, director of the Quang Ninh Inland Waterway Port.

All tourists should be safely back on the mainland by midday, Mr Thang noted.

As of 6am Sunday (July 16), all cruise ships transporting tourists to and from the island were halted because of the storm.

Local authorities advised tourists to stay calm and assisted finding them accommodation.