The strongest cold surge of the season has brought biting winds and night-time temperatures of 10-12 degrees Celsius, prompting people to gather around makeshift sidewalk fires to ward off the chill.
On streets including Nguyen Chi Thanh, La Thanh, Thang Long Boulevard, Van Cao and around West Lake, residents burned firewood overnight and into the early morning hours to keep warm.
“It’s not the coldest spell, but the strong winds make nights and early mornings very harsh,” said Huu Tuan, a resident of the La Thanh area. “We light a fire to keep warm, roast sweet potatoes and chat with neighbours.”
The severe cold has noticeably slowed Hanoi’s nightlife, with normally busy streets falling unusually quiet.
Cafes near West Lake were largely empty, with some staff sitting by small fires outside to stay warm during quiet hours.
Despite the harsh conditions, many people continued to work outdoors late into the night.
Street vendors, security guards and roadside stall owners said the small fires provided brief relief from the cold as customer numbers declined.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, January 7, marked the coldest day of the current cold surge, with temperatures in central Hanoi hovering around 11-12 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded this winter.
Forecasters said strong winds combined with early-morning mist would further intensify the chill, particularly in exposed areas such as overpasses, lakesides and around high-rise buildings.
Residents have been advised to wear adequate warm clothing when heading outdoors as the cold air continues to affect much of northern and north-central Vietnam.