Hanoi sizzles near 40 C amid widespread northern heat wave

Northern Vietnam is experiencing a widespread heat wave, with Hanoi recording a peak temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday and forecast to experience 40 C on Monday.

Sunday marked the third consecutive day of intense heat driven by a western low-pressure system in northern Vietnam. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, 13 out of 15 northern provinces reported temperatures above 35 C on Sunday. Most areas experienced temperatures between 37 C and 39 C, classified as extreme heat.

In Hanoi, four out of five monitoring stations recorded temperatures exceeding 39 C on Sunday. The highest temperature, 39.7 C, was reported at Lang Station, while the lowest was 38.5 C in Hoai Duc, reflecting a 1–3 C increase from the previous day. These readings were measured in meteorological shelters, meaning actual outdoor temperatures may be 1–3 C higher depending on local terrain.

Meteorologists warn that the extreme heat combined with low humidity poses risks of discomfort, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, especially for outdoor workers. The heat also raises the risk of fires and explosions.

The heat wave is anticipated to last through Monday. A low-pressure trough is expected to bring rain afterward, reducing temperatures for approximately two days.

According to U.S.-based AccuWeather, Hanoi’s temperatures on Monday could range from 30–40 C, then drop to 26–32 C by midweek.

In higher-altitude areas such as Sa Pa (Lao Cai), situated over 1,500 meters above sea level, temperatures midweek are expected to range from 19–21 C.

Northern Vietnam experienced three heat waves in July. Average temperatures during these periods were 0.5–1.5 C higher than historical averages.

For August, meteorologists expect temperatures to stay high in the first half of the month before gradually subsiding.

By Gia Chinh – VnExpress.net – August 3, 2025