Northern Vietnam to enjoy Lunar New Year in cold weather

THE HANOI TIMES — Cold air will affect northern Vietnam during the first days of the 2026 Tet (Lunar New Year), according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The agency said a cold air mass is moving south. Northern areas recorded scattered showers on February 15, with afternoon temperatures ranging from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius.

On land, the cold front is expected to reach the northeastern mountains early on February 17. By the evening and night, it will intensify and expand across most northern provinces, except Lai Chau and Dien Bien and extend to the north-central region.

From the night of February 16 through February 19, northern and north-central areas will see scattered rain and light showers. From the night of February 17 to February 19, cold conditions will cover northern provinces and Thanh Hoa, with some mountainous areas experiencing severe cold.

Minimum temperatures during the cold spell will range from 16 to 19 degrees Celsius in northern areas and Thanh Hoa, with some mountainous locations dropping below 15 degrees.

In Hanoi, light rain and scattered showers are forecast from the night of February 16 to February 19. Temperatures will turn cold from the night of February 17, with lows between 17 and 19 degrees.

At sea, from early February 17, northeast winds in the Gulf of Tonkin will strengthen to force 5 to 6, with gusts up to force 7 to 8. Seas will turn rough, with waves of 1.5 to 2.5 meters.

In the northern East Sea (South China Sea), including the Paracel Islands area, northeast winds will rise to force 6, with some northeastern waters reaching force 7 and gusts of 8-9. Waves will build to 3-5 meters, creating very rough conditions.

From February 18, northeast winds will strengthen to force 6, with gusts of 7-8, in waters from Lam Dong to Ca Mau provinces and in the western part of the southern East Sea, including the western Spratly Islands area. Waves will range from 2-4 meters.