Ice formed on trees, walkways and buildings on the peak in Lao Cai Province, creating a stark winter landscape that highlighted the severity of the latest cold air mass, local authorities said.
Temperatures on Fansipan began to fall from late afternoon on January 6, and remained below freezing until early the following morning. By about 8 am on January 7, the ice started to melt as temperatures edged higher.
Fansipan has experienced repeated episodes of frost and ice since December, with light snowfall recorded on December 18, reflecting persistently harsh winter conditions at high elevations.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold air has affected much of northern and north-central Vietnam and is expected to continue spreading to other areas.
In Hanoi, sunshine during the day on January 7 did little to ease the chill, with temperatures remaining at around 10-12 degrees Celsius. Mountainous areas in the northwest have been warned to brace for further frost and icy conditions.
