Early on the morning of January 9, the perceived temperature in Ho Chi Minh City dropped sharply to 17 degrees Celsius, sending residents out onto the streets wrapped in warm jackets and scarves.

From before dawn, cold winds swept through the city, creating a noticeably chilly atmosphere. At Gia Dinh Park and along Pham Van Dong Boulevard, people out for morning exercise pulled on extra layers, with wool scarves and thick jackets becoming a common sight.

Hoang Minh, 55, a resident of Go Vap Ward, said the sensation of riding his motorbike that morning felt “just like being in Da Lat,” a sharp departure from the city’s usual weather. Across many streets, images of residents wearing heavy coats and gloves stood out against the familiar urban backdrop.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the recorded temperature in Ho Chi Minh City was 20 degrees Celsius, but the actual perceived temperature dropped to around 17 degrees. Such conditions are considered rare for a city known for its year-round heat.

The cold spell was not limited to Ho Chi Minh City alone. Temperatures across southern Vietnam also fell noticeably, with Binh Duong and Long An recording around 20 degrees Celsius, while Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province saw lows of 21 degrees.

Weather experts said the cold air mass is expected to persist for several more days, prolonging the unseasonably cool conditions across the southern region.