Located near the coast, the Quang Ninh Provincial Planning, Fair, and Exhibition Center, commonly known as the "Dolphin Palace" due to its dolphin-like shape when viewed from above, was heavily damaged. 

The center, with an investment of 1,000 billion VND, saw its roof severely affected as Typhoon Yagi struck on the afternoon of September 7. Strong gusts stripped large sections of the white corrugated metal roof, tearing it apart and scattering debris across the 30/10 Square and surrounding roads.

Additionally, the insulation beneath the corrugated sheets was ripped apart and littered the grounds of the center.

A day after the storm, the Dolphin Palace remains in disarray. Tempered glass panels have been shattered, with sharp fragments scattered throughout the exhibition areas.

Pham Thanh Lam, a staff member at Quang Ninh Museum and the Quang Ninh Provincial Planning, Fair, and Exhibition Center, reported that following the storm, staff have been working to clear the debris. The most hazardous task has been collecting broken glass to prevent injuries.

Due to the ongoing cleanup, the area was marked as off-limits on September 8.

A large section of roofing was displaced 500 meters from the Dolphin Palace, landing close to the Quang Ninh Museum.

Adjacent to the Dolphin Palace is the Quang Ninh Museum, another significant investment costing 990 billion VND. The museum has sustained damage to various components, including doors, LED lighting systems, accessible stairways, surrounding greenery, glass bridges, and external glass panels.

The tempered glass panels on the museum’s exterior were shattered during the storm. According to Do Quyet Tien, Director of Quang Ninh Museum, the preliminary damage estimates for both the museum and the Dolphin Palace amount to approximately 70 billion VND.

The extensive damage to both facilities caused by Typhoon Yagi is expected to result in a lengthy recovery process. The management plans to temporarily close the museum for over a month to carry out necessary repairs.

Thach Thao - Pham Cong