An analysis by the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, Environment and Sea revealed that average temperatures across most of Vietnam during the three main winter months (12/2025-2/2026) were 0,1-2 degrees Celsius higher than the multi-year average. Average minimum temperatures also rose by 0,1-2,5 degrees Celsius.

Frost on Mau Son on 22/1. Photo: Xuan Hoa

In northern Vietnam and provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh, December 2025 and January 2026 saw average temperatures generally 0,5-1 degree higher than the multi-year average, with some localized increases. By February 2026, temperatures nationwide continued this trend, rising by 0,5-1 degree above the multi-year average, and 1-2 degrees Celsius higher in some northern regions.

Data from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicated that cold air activity persisted but was neither overly strong nor prolonged. November 2025 experienced three cold air spells affecting northern Vietnam and the North Central Coast. During this month, average temperatures in the Northeast and the region from Thanh Hoa to Hue were typically 0,5-1,5 degrees lower than the multi-year average, with some areas seeing drops of 1,5-2 degrees Celsius.

During the cold air spell on the night of 17/11/2025, minimum temperatures in northern Vietnam generally ranged from 11-14 degrees, though Mau Son (Lang Son) dropped to 3,2 degrees. The North Central Coast recorded 12-15 degrees Celsius. A subsequent spell on 24/11/2025 saw northern mountainous areas fall below 10 degrees, with high mountainous regions experiencing temperatures under 5 degrees; Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), for example, reached about 2 degrees Celsius. In the northern plains and North Central Coast, temperatures were generally 9-12 degrees, with some areas like Quy Chau (Nghe An) falling below 8 degrees.

December 2025 brought three more cold air spells. However, average temperatures in northern Vietnam and the Thanh Hoa - Ha Tinh region were 1,5-2,5 degrees Celsius higher than the multi-year average. During the cold air spell on 24/12/2025, maximum temperatures in northern Vietnam decreased by 5-8 degrees, settling between 19-22 degrees. Minimums dropped to 12-15 degrees, with mountainous areas seeing 8-11 degrees Celsius.

Hanoi streets peaceful on the morning of Tet Binh Ngo. Photo: Giang Huy

January 2026 recorded four cold air spells. Two significant spells on 5/1 and 21/1 caused widespread intense cold in northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. On 21/1, minimum temperatures generally ranged from 8-11 degrees, with mountainous areas at 5-7 degrees, and high mountainous regions sometimes below 3 degrees. Mau Son notably dropped to minus 0,1 degrees Celsius on 22/1.

This month also saw several extreme temperature records. Nha Be station (TP HCM) recorded a lowest temperature of 17,8 degrees on 9/1, falling below the 18-degree mark observed in 2016. Conversely, Dak To station (Quang Ngai) registered a highest temperature of 33,7 degrees Celsius on 17/1, surpassing its historical January record of 33,3 degrees from 1998.

By February 2026, northern Vietnam continued to experience three cold air spells. The spell on 8/2 brought widespread intense cold, with minimum temperatures in northern Vietnam generally 10-12 degrees, mountainous areas 7-9 degrees, and Mau Son dropping to about 3,5 degrees. Thanh Hoa typically saw 13-14 degrees Celsius.

A new high-temperature record was also set this month at Song Ma (Son La), reaching 37,8 degrees on 5/2, exceeding the 36,9 degrees recorded on 22/2/2009.

Cold air spells frequently alternated with periods of rapid temperature increases. Vietnamese meteorological agencies had forecast this trend of a warm winter since the season's start.

Gia Chinh