A powerful cold front is forecasted to impact Vietnam's weather on February 7-8 (Friday and Saturday), bringing severe cold to Northern Vietnam and North Central Vietnam. Hanoi’s temperature could drop as low as 7-8°C, while high-altitude areas may experience frost.
Long-range predictions indicate that this cold spell could be as strong as, or even stronger than, the one that hit Vietnam during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake, which caused widespread snowfall.
Impact on Weather Conditions
The cold air is expected to arrive on February 7 and will continue strengthening for several days. Due to its influence, Northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An may experience scattered rain showers on February 7-8. From the night of February 7 to February 10, the entire northern region and North Central Vietnam will be covered by intense cold, with temperatures dropping sharply. High mountain areas may experience frost and ice formation.
This cold front will also bring cooler temperatures to provinces from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh, along with scattered rain from February 8-11. Some areas may experience moderate to heavy rain, and thunderstorms could bring strong winds, lightning, and potential tornadoes.
Coldest Period Since the Beginning of the Season
Before the cold air arrives, Northern Vietnam will maintain early morning fog, cloudy skies, and cool but sunny afternoons. However, from the night of February 5 to the morning of February 6, the Northeast region may experience light rain, drizzle, and fog.
- Hanoi weather forecast:
- February 5: Cloudy skies with no rain, temperatures ranging from 10-20°C.
- February 6: Light rain developing, temperatures 15-20°C.
- February 7: Temperatures will drop to 11-16°C, with drizzle, increasing the feeling of cold.
Over the weekend, when the strongest cold spell arrives, Hanoi’s temperatures may drop to 7-8°C at the lowest, with daytime highs only reaching 12-13°C.
Impacts on Ha Giang Loop Tour & Travel Advice
For travelers planning a Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour or a Ha Giang Loop Tour by Car, this extreme cold weather could affect road conditions, especially in mountainous areas like Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Du Gia. Frost and icy roads could make riding more challenging, so proper warm clothing and careful preparation are essential. Those considering a Ha Giang Loop Tour should check updated weather conditions before departure.
According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, cold air will continue to impact Vietnam frequently throughout February 2025, especially in the latter half of the month. This will result in prolonged periods of extreme cold in Northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An.
Previously, in January 2025, Vietnam experienced three cold waves on January 9, 14, and 26. The cold spell on January 26 caused widespread severe cold in the northern and north-central regions, with some areas, including Ha Giang and Lao Cai, experiencing snowfall.
During these cold spells, temperatures in Northern Vietnam and North Central Vietnam mostly dropped below 10°C, with some high-altitude areas recording temperatures below 5°C. Specific recorded temperatures include:
- Mau Son (Lang Son): 2°C
- Pha Din (Dien Bien): 2°C
- Sapa (Lao Cai): 2.2°C
- Dong Van (Ha Giang): 3.3°C
- Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc): 4.1°C
Travelers planning to explore the Ha Giang Loop should take extra precautions and prepare for the extreme cold to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
