AT least three people have died after a tourist boat capsized in a popular Vietnam beauty spot.

The boat had 53 people – including five crew members – on board for a tour of Halong Bay when a “sudden gust of wind” flipped the vessel.

Rescue teams have found 12 survivors and recovered three bodies so far – with 38 still missing, the People’s Army Newspaper said.

Pictures from the scene show stormy skies as rescue boats surround the capsized vessel – with divers in the water scrambling to find survivors.

It’s understood at least three tourists were rescued by a passing boat.

Authorities have not yet shared details about the nationalities of the tourists – and rescue operations are ongoing.

The boat overturned near Dau Go Cave around 1.45pm local time – with many families and children on board, according to VN Express.

It came shortly after Storm Wipha hit the South China Sea, battering the area with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning.

It’s the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year – and it was set to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast early next week.

Located 125 miles northeast of Hanoi, Halong Bay is home to almost 2,000 islands and holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing in tens of thousands of tourists annually.

Many companies offer overnight boat tours in the area.