Frost blankets Fansipan peak as temperatures drop to freezing point
VOV.VN - Frost covered large areas of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, on the morning of December 20 as temperatures dropped to around 0 °C, creating a rare winter scene on the so-called Roof of Indochina.
According to observations at the Sun World Fansipan Legend tourist area in Lao Cai province, freezing conditions were recorded from around 5 a.m., allowing a layer of white frost to form across walkways, open surfaces and areas surrounding the national flagpole at the summit, which rises more than 3,100m above sea level.
The frost, measuring approximately 0.5 centimeters thick, appeared overnight and into the early morning hours. By around 7:30 a.m., as sunlight intensified, the ice began to melt, remaining only on shaded surfaces.
The rare phenomenon quickly drew the attention of visitors who had arrived at the summit early in the day. Many tourists took photos of the frost-covered landscape, shrouded in mist and low temperatures uncommon for much of Vietnam.
Local authorities said this winter has arrived earlier and lasted longer than usual, with frost appearing repeatedly on Fansipan over the past two months. On December 18, light snowfall was also reported at the summit, indicating persistently low temperatures in the area.
Weather experts noted that if cold conditions continue, Fansipan could experience a snowy winter similar to those recorded in 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Late December is considered an ideal time for tourists to experience winter conditions on Fansipan, including frost-hunting and cloud-sea viewing. Christmas-themed decorations have also been installed at the summit, offering visitors a festive atmosphere at high altitude amid the cold.
Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that on December 20, northern and north-central regions experienced scattered light rain and morning fog, with colder conditions at night and in the early morning.
Another weak cold air mass is expected to affect northern Vietnam over the coming days, bringing additional rain and a further drop in temperatures around December 24–25.
Cold air weakens as temperatures rise, air pollution worsens
VOV.VN - A cold air mass that swept across northern and north-central Vietnam over the past two days, bringing rain and a sharp drop in temperatures, began to weaken on December 15, allowing temperatures to rise by 3-4°C, weather officials said.
