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Northern Vietnam braces for first heat wave of the year

by dtinews.vn

A hot low-pressure area originating from the west is heading for the nation’s northern region and is set to cause the first hot spell of this year.

The period of hot weather is due to last from March 29 and will impact the northern and the north-western regions, including Dien Bien and Son La provinces, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Temperatures are anticipated to range from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, with some locations even seeing highs of 35 degrees Celsius, the centre said.

In Hanoi, temperatures are forecast to rise quickly from March 29 and hit 33 degrees Celsius in the middle of next week. Local people will feel hot and dry due to the impact of the latest heat wave.

Meanwhile, the centre said the current hot spell in the Central Highlands and the southern region will see temperatures fall this weekend, with showers and thunderstorms predicted to hit some places.

By late April, rainfall is predicted to be between 20 mm and 40 mm higher compared to the same period from previous years.

Over the next month the Central Highlands and the southern region will see temperatures drop by up to one degree Celsius against the same period from the past.

On average, regions may record less days in which they experience heat waves in comparison to previous years.

First heat wave to hit Hanoi this week

by hanoitimes.vn

Temperature would be particularly high in the capital city of Hanoi, with approximately 38 degrees Celsius on April 2.

Northern localities of Vietnam, including Hanoi, will endure their first major hot spell of the 2021 summer with temperatures in some places reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The blazingly-hot temperatures will last from March 30 until April 2, the NCHMF said, adding that temperatures would range from between 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.

A woman drives her daughter on the motorbike under the intensive sunlight. Photo: VoThanh

Temperature would be particularly high in the capital city of Hanoi, with approximately 38 degrees Celsius on April 2.

From the beginning of this week, the scorching heat would be felt in the northwestern region and Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces in north central Vietnam, as well as a large area stretching from the central city Danang to the southern province of Khanh Hoa, with temperatures reaching 35-38 degrees Celsius at noon.

As the searing heat is accompanied by increased levels of UV rays, local people are recommended to put on sunglasses, masks, and gloves in an effort to protect their skin whilst commuting.

People are cautioned to prevent likely fire in residential areas as well as wildfire and are advised to avoid outdoor activities from 11 am to 4 pm, drink enough water and proper diet to enhance the immune system.

This summer, some parts across Vietnam are predicted to see the mercury climbing up to the unbelievable 39-42 degrees Celsius, and the temperatures at some points may hit record highs, the NCHMF said.

Meanwhile, the South of Vietnam is expected to suffer from suffocating hot weather for many days. Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) will see a UV index reading of 11 or more, posing high risk of skin damage, including skin cancer, for people exposed under the sun for a long time.

The city may experience sweltering temperatures averaging 35-38 degrees in the dry season, which is 0.5 to 1 degree higher than the average temperature many years before, causing the possibility of low rainfall in the mid-May.

Blazing heat strikes Hanoi till June 25

by hanoitimes.vn

The current heat wave scorches Hanoi since early morning, with the highest temperature hitting 38-39 degrees Celsius.

Scorching heat is attacking Hanoi, with temperature likely surging to 38-39 degrees Celsius, and is forecast to last until June 25, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has said.

The NCHMF said that Foehn wind, caused by impact of the southeastern edge of the western hot low-pressure area, is causing hot weather across the northern region, with temperatures ranging from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius, and even higher in some places.

Hanoi’s temperature surged to 38-39 degrees Celsius on June 22. Photo: Internet

The current heat wave scorches Hanoi since early morning, with the highest temperature hitting 38-39 degrees Celsius. It is even expected to surge to 41 degrees Celsius tomorrow, according to the NCHMF.

The center warned that the ultraviolet index in Hanoi city today will remain at the dangerous levels of 8 and 9, posing a high risk of skin damage, including skin cancer, for people exposed to the sun for a long time. Thus, people on the road are recommended to apply SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear a shirt, sunglasses and a hat.

The center’s experts warned that people should prevent probable fire in residential areas as well as wildfire, avoid outdoor activities from 11:00am to 4:00pm, drink water and take proper diet to enhance the immune system.

They also said that as June is still the transitional period from spring to summer, there is a collision between hot and cold waves, so extreme weather may occur such as tornadoes, hail and strong wind in the thunderstorm.

The wide-spread heat wave in the Northern and Central provinces is expected to last longer in the Northwest, the western mountainous areas of the North Central region, and Central and South-Central provinces.

This summer, some parts across Vietnam would see the mercury climbing up to 39-40 degree Celsius, and the temperatures at some points may hit record levels, according to the NCHMF.

Scorching heat to keep battering Hanoi into July

by hanoitimes.vn

In this summer, heat waves will be particularly intensive in Hanoi where temperatures have reached as high as 39-40 degrees Celsius.

The blazingly hot temperatures will likely keep hitting Hanoi city, as well as Vietnam’s northwest and central region in July, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

In the coming month, there will be about two or three heat waves and intense heat waves striking the city around the first week, said the NCHMF.

Hot weather will continue to batter Hanoi in July. Photo: Internet

Heat waves will occur in combination with large-scale heavy rains. In July, there will appear one or two heavy rainstorms in the middle and in the end of the month, the NCHMF predicted.

The average temperature in July in Hanoi will be higher than the average one of the recent many years (28.7 – 29.2 degrees Celsius). The total rainfall in the month is approximately the standard of many years (280.4 – 308.0mm).

The center’s experts said that as July is still the transitional period, there will be a collision between hot and cold waves, so extreme weather such as tornadoes, hail and strong wind in the thunderstorm may occur.

According to the center, in this summer, heat waves will be particularly intensive in Hanoi where temperature have hit 39-40 degrees Celsius. The central region will also experience blistering heat with the mercury soaring to nearly 40 degrees.

In recent days, mercury in Hanoi reached its highest level on June 23, with a high of over 40 degrees Celsius. The intense heat has posed immense challenges to the daily activities of local residents, especially those who have to earn a living outdoors.

The weather pattern is expected to linger until early July, with average highs remaining at 37-40 degrees Celsius in the regions, and over 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, according to the NCHMF.

The UV index has been at harmful levels during this period.

Blazing heat attacks Hanoi

by hanoitimes.vn

The temperature in Hanoi peaked an average 38 degrees Celsius at 11a.m; however, outdoor temperature was about 44-46 degrees Celsius due to the urban heat island effect.

Scorching heat has hit Hanoians hard today, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, the highest since the beginning of this year, Kinhtedothi.vn reported.

Summer has just begun but residents in Hanoi have already felt the worst of it when the temperature surged to 38 degrees Celsius in the midst of the scorching heat wave at noon while the heat on the road was recorded at up to 41 degrees Celsius.

The heat wave is affecting the Hanoians’ daily routines. Motorbike commuters wrapped themselves in thick hoodies, face mask and sunglasses. Outdoor workers have to take a rest every 15 minutes under the trees’ shades while street vendors hide under pedestrian tunnels and locals minimize outdoor activities.

According to the National Center for Vietnam Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, intensive heat would cause dehydration, exhaustion and stroke when working or traveling under the sun for a long time. Temperatures are forecast to go down tomorrow (May 22) thanks to rains in the northern region.

Workers make a living in the hot sun.
At noon, the peak temperature reaches 41 degrees Celsius.

Many people take shelter from the hot sun in a pedestrian tunnel on Pham Hung street.

High temperatures stir up daily life in Hanoi.
Workers have to cover themselves with umbrellas to avoid the heat on Hoang Sa street, Dong Anh district. This is a violation of the Road Traffic Law.
The sun is bright red on West Lake.

Sidewalk tea shop becomes a place for workers to cool down with a cup of ice tea.

Motorbike drivers take refuge from the sun under the overpass of Belt Road 3.
Hot weather disturbs people’s life.
A cyclo driver struggles under the hot sun.
Temperature in some road of Hanoi measured at 46 degrees Celsius, causing road mirage.

Hanoi heat wave: xe om falters as iced tea prospers

by en.nhandan.org.vn

It was 10am and Hanoi was as hot as a burning stove. Many chose to take the bus or a taxi or even decided against going outside in order to keep the suffocating heat at bay, rather than riding their own motorbikes or using the motorbike taxi service known as xe om as they usually do.

Phan Thanh Tuan, a Grab xe om driver, told our correspondent: “Normally, I could earn about VND200,000-300,000 (US$9-13) or more with 10-15 rides a day but these days there are hardly any customers.”

He added, “People have been making few journeys, and if they have to go outside, they will take an air conditioned cab. Previously I could run more fares in the evening to make up for the sunny daytime. But now everyone stays at home to watch the World Cup.”

In order to make some income during the heat wave, many have turned to transporting goods in place of people. For those who could adapt themselves well, their incomes are relatively decent but there is only a handful of such xe om drivers. In general, most xe om drivers have fallen into disfavour these days and their incomes have also fallen substantially.

On the other end of the scale are roadside vendors of iced tea, coffee and freshwater. The hotter it gets, the more money they make.

Nguyen Thi Hien has been selling iced tea by the roadside for nearly 20 years. No matter the weather or the time of the day, she always settles herself under the shade of trees and serve her customers.

She said “Small roadside iced tea shops began to mushroom in Hanoi around the early 2000s. Many scrambled to open stalls by the roadside to sell not only iced tea but also freshwater and other snacks. The initial investment is very small but the profit is fairly good. If you are hard-working, you could easily earn VND10 million a month.”

Hien added that she has customers almost every day in both the summer and winter but her stand reaches its peak during the sizzling days like this.

On a day when customers are not so plentiful, she still could sell 100-150 cups of tea while on a hot day, the number of customers soars and she could sell as many as 400 cups.

Hien said “I sell a cup for just several thousand Vietnamese dong, and a few candies and packets of sunflower seeds, but many a little makes a mickle and my husband and I were able to finance my children until they left college. They are now all grown up and have good jobs.”

“My eldest son used to work for a foreign company and earn VND30 million a month but he already quit because he wanted to run his own business. He just opened a café just across the street. It looks impressive but after covering the rent, employee salary and other costs, his profit is not as large as mine,” Hien said in pride.

Iced tea shops could earn huge profits during the hot days. (Image: Kien Thuc)

But no matter who they are, xe om drivers or roadside tea sellers, behind the petty cash which seems to be easily earned, is the extreme hardship they have to endure.

Nguyen Van Nam, a 23-year-old Grab driver, was hurriedly slurping a cup of catjang dessert, his face flushed with exhaustion and streaming with sweat. He looked like a person suffering from heatstroke after a ride in the early afternoon.

“I’ve run ten fares since the morning. There are few customers today but because of the hot weather, there are also fewer drivers so I was lucky to receive several bookings. This afternoon I have run only two rides but it’s too hot and I have to stop here for a rest.”

To shield themselves from the intense sun, Nam, Tuan and thousands of other xe om drivers have to wear thick winter coats, gloves, sunglasses, face masks and kerchiefs. Some even have to soak their clothes in water before putting them on in order to deal with the extreme heat.

Despite taking all the possible measures, exhaustion is unavoidable when they have to work for many hours under the scorching sun.

For iced tea sellers, although they have better incomes and less arduous work than xe om drivers, they are frequently faced with the risk of being moved on for occupying public spaces.

Pham Linh Dan has graduated from college and is currently unemployed. During the day, she takes Grab bookings and in the evening she runs a roadside stall selling iced tea with her boyfriend.

The stall is not fixed and changes its location each day. Her shop has only eight small plastic stools, a vacuum flask, several cups, a few packets of sunflower seeds, some bags of fruits and several small-sized grass mats, which can be rolled up and put into a cardboard box.

“Compared with other jobs, selling iced tea by the roadside has its own enjoyment. During the hot sunny days, I can sit and enjoy some fresh air at the stadium and make some good money. If I am lucky to have plenty of customers, I can pocket VND200,000-300,000 an evening, a fairly large amount for a manual worker like me,” Dan said smilingly.

But deep in her heart, she does not want to tie herself to this job forever.

“I sell iced tea as a last resort because I couldn’t find any other jobs to do. No one wants to sell iced tea by the roadside like this after graduating from college,” Dan said.