Several people, including two Chinese passengers, managed to swim to safety following Friday evening’s incident, said Le Van Hieu, chief of Binh Nham village in Binh Duong province, some 19 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Ho Chi Minh City.
He said a family was having the party while cruising the Saigon River. The boat was only about 100 yards (meters) away from the terminal when it went down at around 7 p.m.
According to state-run media, a Vietnamese businessman was throwing the birthday party for his 3-year-old son. The reports said the father managed to survive, but that nine family members — including his wife and two children — were still missing.
“There are almost no chances for their survival,” Hieu said.
Authorities suspect that strong winds and heavy rains may have caused the boat to capsize, he said.
Hundreds of soldiers and police have been mobilized for a search and rescue operation. They have located the sunken boat and were expected to pull it from the water later Saturday, Hieu said.
The boat, which is a floating restaurant and popular for parties, belongs to a local tourist company in the province.
