Northern Vietnam has been experiencing a prolonged cold spell, with temperatures dropping sharply across wide areas. In mountainous regions, a strong cold air mass remains in place, making conditions particularly harsh.

Readings taken at 6 a.m. on January 7 showed the temperature on the Fansipan summit in Sa Pa Ward, northern Lao Cai province at -3°C, much lower than the previous day.

Observations showed a white layer of frost covering tourist paths, stone steps, rock roofs, the flagpole area and other structures. Vegetation on the summit was also heavily coated, creating the characteristic winter scene of high-altitude areas.

Frost typically forms when air temperatures fall below 4°C and surface temperatures approach 0°C. Water vapor condenses into solid, porous white crystals, commonly known as hoarfrost.

This winter arrived earlier and has lasted longer than in many previous years, causing frost to appear repeatedly on the Fansipan summit over nearly the past two months.

Most recently, from the night of December 24 to the early morning of December 25, Fansipan recorded an unusually thick layer of frost, considered the heaviest so far this winter. During that period, temperatures ranged between 1°C and 3°C throughout the night, creating favorable conditions for widespread frost formation.

Earlier, light snowfall was also recorded on the Fansipan summit on the afternoon of December 18, indicating that temperatures in high-altitude areas have dropped sharply and remained low for an extended period.

Cold conditions continued overnight and into the early morning across Hanoi as well as the northern and north-central regions. Actual temperatures recorded at 5:30 a.m. on January 7 were generally 10-13°C in the north, with eight localities reporting readings below 10°C, while the north-central region ranged between 13°C and 14°C.

Mau Son peak in northern Lang Son province, at an elevation of 1,500 meters, recorded 2.9°C, the lowest temperature nationwide.

Other locations recorded temperatures of 4-5°C, including Sa Pa at 4.4°C, nearly 1°C lower than on January 6; Moc Chau at 5°C; and Dong Van at 5.7°C.

Fansipan peak covered in frost as temperatures plunge to 1°C

VOV.VN - Frost appeared the area around the flagpole and many trees on Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, in Sa Pa ward, northern Lao Cai province, early on December 25, as temperatures dropped to 1-3°C.