Between 7 p.m. on January 22 and 7 a.m. on January 23, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting recorded temperatures below 10°C at dozens of monitoring stations across the region. At Mount Mau Son in Lang Son province, the mercury dropped to -0.1°C - the lowest temperature reported so far this winter.

Several other high-altitude locations also experienced frigid conditions. Temperatures fell to 4.5°C in Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), 4.7°C in Sa Pa (Lao Cai), and 4.9°C in Tam Dao (Phu Tho). In Trung Khanh (Cao Bang), it was 5.8°C; Moc Chau (Son La) saw 6°C, while Son Dong (Bac Ninh) recorded 8.7°C.

In the Red River Delta, it was similarly cold. Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh saw 8°C, while Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh), and Ha Dong (Hanoi) hovered around 10.3°C.

In north-central Vietnam, Sầm Sơn (Thanh Hoa) recorded 10.7°C, Vinh (Nghe An) 13.2°C, and Ha Tinh 14.1°C.

According to the national weather service, the cold air mass is continuing to move southward, affecting central and southern regions of the country.

Today, the north and Thanh Hoa remain under severe cold and damaging cold warnings. In mountainous areas of northern Vietnam, hazardous cold persists, especially in provinces like Dien Bien and Lai Chau. The lowest temperatures in the north and Thanh Hoa range from 10–13°C, with 8–11°C in mountainous areas and some high-elevation zones falling below 6°C. From Nghe An to Hue, the mercury is expected to stay between 13–16°C.

Forecast for the next two days

On January 24, the cold will persist in the north, while regions from Nghe An to Hue will remain chilly.

In Hanoi, the weather is expected to stay cold and damp throughout the day, with temperatures between 10–12°C.

For January 24, the Northern Weather Forecast Center predicts mostly cloudy skies with no rain in Hanoi. Clouds are expected to clear somewhat by midday, allowing for some sunshine. Temperatures are forecast to range from 13–15°C at night to 17–19°C during the day.

By January 25, conditions in Hanoi will continue to improve. The city will see morning fog and partial sunshine in the afternoon, with nighttime and early morning temperatures ranging from 16–18°C, and daytime highs reaching 23–25°C.

Expert insights on the coldest spell so far

Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, confirmed that this is the most intense cold spell in northern Vietnam since the start of the 2025–2026 winter.

According to Khiem, the first widespread cold spell of the season occurred between January 6–8, characterized by dry conditions. Clear skies led to low nighttime temperatures but warmer days due to abundant sunlight.

The current cold front, by contrast, is moist. Cloud cover and humidity are keeping both day and night temperatures low, making it feel persistently colder throughout the day.

Starting January 24, the cold front is expected to gradually weaken. Northern Vietnam should begin to warm up, and this warming trend is forecast to continue through the end of January.

Bao Anh