At least 42 people have been killed after tropical storm Mirinae swept across central Vietnam, state media have reported.

State television confirmed the toll on Wednesday and a report from the government's flood prevention office said eight people remained missing by the end of Tuesday.

The Vietnam News put the number of missing at 21.

The national disaster committee said in a statement, after part of the province's system of dykes was overwhelmed: "It's the most devastating flooding in more than 30 years in Phu Yen."

About 2,000 soldiers had been deployed to help with the rescue  effort.

The storm destroyed 154 houses, damaged 2,500 others and inundated about 1,800 hectares (4,450 acres) of crop land, Vietnam News reported.

Reports added that many more people were missing although residents said the situation was returning to normal.

Rain and wind from the storm delayed coffee harvesting in parts of the central highlands' coffee belt.

Photos from the south-central provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh showed floodwaters rising to near the top of house doors.

One showed people hoisting an elderly woman out of her home through an opening in the roof.