Two Britons die on Vietnam boat

Halong Bay is a popular tourist destination

Two British tourists were among five people to drown when a packed boat overturned in wild seas off Vietnam, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

A French man and two Vietnamese people were also killed when the vessel capsized carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, reports suggest.

Survivors were treated in hospital for shock and hypothermia.

The incident happened in the Halong Bay area, which is popular for its coral reefs and weathered limestone scenery.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the deaths of two British nationals in the Halong Bay area. Consular assistance has been provided."

British Embassy officials travelled to the bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin some 100 miles east of the capital, Hanoi, to help confirm their identities.

Reports said the boat was hit by heavy winds as it was returning to port on Thursday night.

Sunny Bui, manager of Cruise Halong, which runs boat trips to Halong Bay, said: "There was no warning.

"[Tour operators] usually hear of typhoons and strong winds in the weather forecast, but this was a whirlwind that only lasted for 15 or 20 minutes and nobody knew about it."