On the morning of November 28, residents of Ho Chi Minh City were greeted by the coldest temperatures since the beginning of the year, with many weather apps reporting a drop to 19°C. The cool air brought a striking contrast to the city’s usual tropical heat, with many likening the feeling to walking the misty hills of Da Lat.

Early in the morning, clear skies and light winds combined with the lower temperature to create an atmosphere rarely seen in the southern metropolis.

Many locals expressed excitement and surprise at the rare chill. On major streets, people bundled up in thick coats and scarves to keep warm.

"I was honestly freezing this morning," said Ms. Hang, a resident in Saigon Ward. "I had to wrap myself in a thick coat and scarf. It really felt like Da Lat. It was strange but refreshing."

Parents also dressed their children warmly before sending them to school, a noticeable change from the usual light outfits.

According to meteorological experts, this unexpected cold spell was caused by a strong continental cold air mass. Typically, such cold air masses veer eastward over the sea and have little effect on southern Vietnam. However, this time, Typhoon Koto disrupted the pattern, forcing the cold air to plunge directly southward.

Despite reaching southern provinces, the cold front retained significant strength, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures. By 7:00 a.m., temperatures in HCMC remained around 20°C. Other southern provinces, especially in the Southeast, also recorded unusually low readings.

In Phuoc Long (Dong Nai, formerly part of Binh Phuoc), the temperature fell to just 16.6°C, while Ta Lai (Dong Nai) recorded 17.5°C. In the Mekong Delta, the lowest readings ranged from 20.7°C to 25°C. Notably, stations in Can Long (Vinh Long, formerly Tra Vinh) and Cao Lanh (Dong Thap) each recorded 20.7°C.

In HCMC, overnight and early morning temperatures ranged from 19.4°C to 22.2°C, with Tan Son Nhat Airport registering a low of 20°C.

Le Dinh Quyet, Head of Forecasting at the Southern Hydrometeorological Center, explained that the phenomenon is linked to an intensified high-pressure cold air mass, redirected southward by Typhoon Koto. As a result, northern winds blew directly into southern Vietnam. Though the sky was clear and pleasant, the air remained dry and cool.

Throughout the day, the weather was mostly sunny with occasional light rain in the afternoon. Daytime and nighttime temperatures dropped slightly. The eastern region of the South in particular experienced a distinctly chilly sensation.

According to forecasts, the current cold spell in the South may persist until at least December 3. After that, the cold air mass is expected to weaken slightly, and temperatures will rise again, bringing back warmer sunshine. However, early mornings and late nights will likely remain cool in early December.

Meteorologists also anticipate a new cold front arriving in the North between December 4 and 5, which could again sweep south and cause further temperature drops across southern provinces.

Tuan Kiet - Tuan Hung