A significant cold air mass is currently moving south, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. This front is expected to impact the northeast region of Vietnam around 1/1/2026, before expanding to the plains and northwest region.

Starting tomorrow, northern Vietnam will experience scattered showers. The first day of 2026 will bring cold weather, intensifying into an intense cold spell in mountainous and midland areas of northern Vietnam on 2-3/1, with some locations facing severe cold. Minimum temperatures across the plains will range from 11-14 degrees Celsius, while midland mountains will see 8-11 degrees Celsius, and high mountainous areas will drop below 7 degrees Celsius.

Hanoi residents use heaters during cold weather. *Photo: Giang Huy*

Accuweather, a US forecasting service, predicts Hanoi's temperature will be 15-22 degrees Celsius on 1/1/2026, further decreasing to 14-18 degrees Celsius the following day. High-altitude locations above 1,500 meters, such as Sa Pa in Lao Cai, are forecast to experience their lowest temperatures during this cold spell on 3/1/2026, with readings between 7-9 degrees Celsius.

Central Vietnam will also feel the effects of this cold air mass starting 1/1, leading to scattered thunderstorms for provinces from Thanh Hoa to Nghe An. Minimum temperatures across central Vietnam are generally expected to be 13-16 degrees Celsius.

The cold air will also bring rain to areas from Ha Tinh to Da Nang, and the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, during the period of 2-4/1.

In addition to cold temperatures and rain, the cold front is forecast to generate strong northeast winds. Inland areas will see winds of level 3, with coastal areas experiencing level 4-5 winds and gusts up to level 6, starting from 1/1/2026. On the same day, the Gulf of Tonkin will have winds of level 6-7, gusting to level 8-9, with waves reaching 2-3 meters high. The North East Sea, including the Hoang Sa special zone, will experience winds of level 7, gusting to level 8-9, and waves 3-5 meters high.

Waters from Khanh Hoa to TP HCM and the Middle East Sea will have winds of level 6, gusting to level 7-8, with waves 2-4 meters high. From the night of 1/1/2026, waters south of Quang Tri to eastern Dak Lak will also experience winds of level 6, gusting to level 7-8.

The meteorological agency warns that this intense cold spell could negatively impact livestock, poultry, and the growth of crops. Localized heavy rainfall may cause flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods on small rivers and streams, and landslides on slopes. Additionally, heavy rain over a short period could lead to inundation in urban and industrial zones.

Gia Chinh