Hanoi is enduring its most intense heatwave since the beginning of the year, with outdoor temperatures approaching 40°C and even higher real-feel temperatures in densely built urban areas covered by concrete and asphalt.

As residents struggle to cope with the scorching weather, concerns over possible localised power outages caused by surging electricity demand have triggered a sharp increase in purchases of rechargeable fans, emergency lights, mini backup power systems, and high-capacity power banks.

Across e-commerce platforms in Vietnam, search terms such as “rechargeable fan,” “emergency rechargeable light,” “mini generator,” and “backup battery” have ranked among the most popular keywords in recent days.

At electronics stores across Hanoi, including in Hai Ba Trung, Cau Giay, and Nguyen Luong Bang areas, retailers reported a strong increase in customers looking for cooling devices and backup power products over the past week.

Many residents said they only recently decided to purchase rechargeable fans and emergency lights as temperatures climbed dramatically over the past few days.

Nguyen Thu Ha, a resident of Nghia Do ward, said her family rushed to buy backup cooling devices due to fears of sudden power cuts.

“My family has young children and elderly people, so we are very worried about blackouts. If the air conditioner stops for just 15 minutes, it becomes unbearable,” she added. “I bought two rechargeable fans in advance in case of unexpected outages.”

Similarly, Le Thanh, who lives in Khuong Dinh ward, recently purchased two rechargeable fans priced at around VND1.3 million each.

“These models have large-capacity batteries and can operate continuously for up to 12 hours at 12 watts. They also come with LED lights and automatic charging cut-off features,” she said. “There are cheaper products on the market, but with this level of heat, I wanted something reliable.”

Tran Van Manh, a ride-hailing driver living in Dong Ngac ward, shared he spent nearly VND2 million on two large rechargeable fans after his apartment complex experienced a power outage lasting nearly an hour last week.

“My family couldn’t sleep because it was so hot,” he noted. “The next day I went to buy fans immediately, but many stores had already sold out of the more affordable models.”

Demand has risen not only among households but also among restaurants, cafes, and market vendors seeking backup power solutions to maintain business operations during potential blackouts.

Pham Thu Trang, owner of a milk tea shop in Cau Giay ward, shared she purchased additional rechargeable fans and mini backup batteries to keep her business running.

“If the electricity goes out for even 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon, customers start leaving because the shop becomes unbearably hot,” she explained.

Demand has also surged in student dormitories and rental housing areas occupied by low-income workers.

According to Nguyen Duc Anh, a final-year university student in Hanoi, several tenants in his boarding house were planning to jointly purchase rechargeable fans in preparation for nighttime power cuts.

“Rooms with metal roofs become extremely hot. If there’s no electricity, it’s impossible to sleep,” he explained.

Mid-range products quickly sell out

According to retailers, compact rechargeable fan models priced between VND500,000 and VND1.5 million are currently among the best-selling products.

Devices offering long operating times of six to twelve hours, integrated LED lighting, or solar charging capabilities are especially popular among consumers.

A shop owner in Kim Lien ward pointed out customer inquiries for rechargeable fans have increased by around 60 to 70% compared to normal periods.

“Customers keep coming in, especially in the evenings,” the retailer said. “Mid-range products sell out very quickly, and some large-capacity models have to be reordered from warehouses.”

Sales of rechargeable emergency lights have also risen significantly, with compact LED emergency lamps becoming particularly popular due to their affordability and convenience.

At the same time, more households are paying attention to energy-saving appliances such as inverter air conditioners and evaporative coolers in an effort to reduce electricity costs during the hot season.

Experts warn against low-quality products

Consumer experts have cautioned that the sudden increase in demand could lead to a flood of low-cost products with unknown origins entering the market.

Some rechargeable devices use low-quality batteries that may pose fire or explosion risks during charging or prolonged operation under extreme temperatures.

Experts therefore recommend that consumers prioritise products from reputable brands with clear origins and reliable battery protection systems.

Users are also advised not to leave devices charging overnight or operate them continuously in excessively hot environments in order to reduce safety risks.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s electricity industry continues urging residents to use electricity efficiently and avoid running multiple high-capacity appliances simultaneously during peak hours to ease pressure on the national power grid.

According to electricity industry estimates, every 1°C increase in outdoor temperature can raise national power consumption by tens of millions of kilowatt-hours per day.

Pressure on the power system becomes particularly intense during midday and evening peak hours, when most households use air conditioners and other electricity-intensive devices at the same time.

Northern, Central Vietnam endure peak heatwave as temperatures exceed 40°C

VOV.VN - Northern and Central Vietnam are facing the most intense heatwave of the summer so far, with temperatures surpassing 40°C in many areas, including Hanoi and several provinces across the country.