Vicente soon steadily moved into the South China Sea, and began to intensify above warm sea waters, and began explosive intensification early on July 23, and started to charge toward the Guangdong region prompting the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) to issue the Hurricane Signal, No.

[9] As the system's convection began wrapping around the circulation center, the JTWC upgraded Vicente to a tropical storm late on July 21.

[10] On July 22, Vicente slowed down and looped, for the subtropical ridge northeast to the storm suddenly weakened.

[12] As system continued to strengthen, it developed a few hot towers, reaching 9.3 mi (15.0 km) high.

[17][18] The depression caused widespread rains and gusty winds in Luzon and Visayas region due to the enhancement of southwest monsoon.

On July 20, classes were suspended from pre-school to high school level due to heavy rain and severe flooding.

On the same time, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration released a red warning throughout Metro Manila and nearby provinces as the depression was expected to pour down a 3 - 4pm equivalent rainfall of Typhoon Ketsana of 2009.

[24] During that day, as the system moved closer to Hong Kong, local winds gradually strengthened and reached gale force offshore and on high ground, before the HKO issued the Northeast Gale or Storm Signal Number 8 at 17:40 HKT (09:40 UTC).

9 was subsequently hoisted at 23:20 HKT (15:20 UTC), when Vicente was located about 110 km (70 mi) to the south-southwest of Hong Kong, and had just intensified abruptly into a severe typhoon.

3 at 10:10 HKT (02:10 UTC), which allowed business and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to reopen and trade again.

Vicente moved further away during the rest of the day and after its circulation was no longer affecting Hong Kong, all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 23:15 HKT (15:15 UTC).

The weather in Hong Kong remained poor for 3 more days because of Vicente's outer rain bands and the monsoon trough.

The Observatory had to issue the Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal several times, until the weather became fine on 28 July.

[25] Dangerous signboards or fallen scaffoldings were reported in many parts of the territory, resulting in closure of some roads and damage to many vehicles.

[25] A wooden board was blown up by strong winds in Connaught Road Central, hitting a number of passers-by and knocking one of them unconscious.

[25] During the storm, the East Rail line of the Mass Transit Railway had to halt service because of damage of overhead cables by toppling trees.

[25] 8,800 trees were destroyed and much debris crashed into downtown streets as people made their way home from work, being told to take shelter.

Hong Kong local media also reported that more than 100 people stayed in the Tai Wai train station overnight, unable to get home after services were suspended.

Vicente posed a threat of direct hit with its northwest track, but the Bureau did not consider issuing higher signals until the next day.

As Vicente started its direct hit on Macau, the Bureau finally announced at 1:12 am on 24 July, that it would switch for a higher signal in 2 to 3 hours.

Striking Guangdong Province as a severe typhoon, according to China Meteorological Agency, Vicente caused considerable damage in the region.

[32] Although the storm had weakened considerably by the time it moved into Guangxi Province, heavy rains associated with it triggered damaging floods.

In neighboring Guizhou Province heavy rains exacerbated ongoing floods and resulted in four fatalities.