On the morning of March 29, the northern region experienced widespread showers and thunderstorms due to a wind convergence zone moving from upper Laos. By midday, sunshine returned across most of the region, with temperatures in Hanoi rising to 29 degrees Celsius.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that from March 30, the north will be influenced by a western low-pressure hot system, bringing heat to the north-west with temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius, and up to 37 degrees Celsius in some areas. The heat is expected to expand to the northern plains during the final days of March.
From April 1, temperatures are forecast to ease slightly. Between April 2 and April 4, northern regions will remain dry but humid and uncomfortable.
Residents of Ho Chi Minh City cover themselves when outdoors during intense heat (Photo: Hoang Huong).
The central region has already experienced localised heat due to the same weather system. From March 30, areas from Thanh Hoa to Hue are expected to see temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius, with some locations exceeding 38 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological authorities said the early-season heatwave in central regions will likely last about a day longer than in the north, gradually easing by April 2.
The southern region has experienced heat over the past two days, particularly in the south-east. Next week, both the south and the central highlands are expected to see little rain and widespread heat, with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius, while the central highlands will range from 33 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius.
From April, heat is expected to develop in the north-west and parts of the north-central region, gradually expanding from Thanh Hoa to Hue. By late May, the heatwave is likely to spread across northern and central Vietnam, intensifying and persisting through June to August.
From September, temperatures are expected to decline. However, this year is forecast to see more frequent and intense heatwaves than the same period in 2025, raising the risk of extreme weather events.
