According to Nguyen Van Huong of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, hot conditions are spreading nationwide and are expected to reach the northeast, including Hanoi, from April 7.
Central Vietnam remains the most severely affected region, with prolonged heat in some areas exceeding 40 degree Celsius. The first nationwide heatwave is impacting all regions, with the most intense conditions from Thanh Hoa to eastern Gia Lai provinces.
In the north, the current heatwave is forecast to ease after April 12, while central areas may see relief around April 13-14. In the south, hot weather could persist through late April, though not continuously.
Temperatures above 40 degree Celsius are not unprecedented but are unusual for early April. In recent years, such extremes have typically been recorded later in the month, suggesting 2026 may see a higher number of extreme heat days.
Experts say climate change, along with the possible return of El Niño later this year, could increase both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, making record-breaking temperatures more likely.
Heatwaves have arrived earlier than average across the country. In the southeast, the first spell occurred between February 16 and February 19, about 10 days earlier than usual. In the northwest and from Nghe An to Danang, heat arrived on March 30-31, around a week early, while in the northeast it began in early April, 15-20 days ahead of the norm.
Forecasts indicate that heat will intensify nationwide in April, with temperatures in the north and from Thanh Hoa to Hue expected to be 1.5-2.5 degree Celsius above average, and 0.5-1.5 degree Celsius higher elsewhere.
From May, heatwaves in the north and central regions are likely to become more frequent and intense through August, before easing from September. Overall, heat conditions in 2026 are expected to be more severe and prolonged than in 2025.
