Hail was observed in wards and communes such as Viet Hung and Phu Dong. The stones were initially fingertip-sized before growing to cup-sized. They fell with force, creating loud impacts on rooftops and roads.

Many people travelling at the time sought shelter. Residents said the hail came in two short bursts over a brief period, with some large stones striking the ground with considerable force.

Earlier, in the early hours of March 20, hail was also seen in Mao Khe, Quang Ninh, lasting about five to seven minutes. Stones there were commonly the size of corn kernels or small fruit.

A day earlier, on March 29, hail was also recorded in several localities including Hanoi, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, showers and locally heavy rain affected northern Vietnam from the night of March 29 to the early hours of March 30. Rainfall totals reached 44.2 mm in Phu Binh (Tuyen Quang), 42.2 mm in Yen Thinh (Thai Nguyen), 39.2 mm in Na Sam (Lang Son), and 38.4 mm in Tan Tien (Lao Cai).

The agency said showers and thunderstorms would continue across the northeastern region and the northern delta on the morning of March 30, with some areas receiving more than 30 mm of rain. In Hanoi, satellite imagery, lightning detection and weather radar showed convective cloud systems remained active, with a risk of localized thunderstorms.

Forecasters warned that thunderstorms could bring tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong gusts in Hanoi and across northern Vietnam.

Hailstorm causes damage as cold snap strikes

VOV.VN - The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has been hit by the first hailstorm of the year after a cold snap struck the locality on March 21.