Frost blankets Vietnam’s Mau Son peak as temperatures fall to minus 0.1 degree Celsius

A thin layer of ice-coated vegetation, metal railings, and outdoor structures at the mountain summit in Mau Son Commune, located more than 1,500 meters above sea level, creating rare winter scenery while increasing the risk of slips and accidents for residents and visitors.

Hoang Quoc Huy, head of the Mau Son Meteorological Station, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the reading marked the coldest temperature recorded during the current surge of strong cold air.

He said frost began forming around 5:00 am as temperatures hovered near the freezing point.

According to Huy, temperatures stood at 0.3 degrees Celsius at 6:00 am before easing to 0.2 degrees Celsius by 7:00 am and dropping to minus 0.1 degree Celsius at around 8:00 am, a level that persisted until about 10:00 am.

The sharp drop, combined with dense fog, caused moisture in the air to condense and freeze on exposed surfaces.

At Mau Son peak, frost accumulated on trees and grass, weighing down branches and leaves and forming a thin layer of ice on fences and other outdoor objects.

Huy advised residents and tourists to take precautions amid the harsh weather, urging them to wear warm clothing, hats, gloves, and insulated footwear, and to remain alert to slippery surfaces caused by ice.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the cold conditions were caused by a strong cold air mass affecting northern and north-central Vietnam.

In the early hours of Thursday, scattered rain and showers were reported across the northeast and north-central regions, while temperatures in many areas fell by four to 10 degrees Celsius compared with previous days.

Meteorological authorities warned that the prolonged cold could disrupt daily life and pose risks to agriculture and livestock, particularly in mountainous areas.

Residents in highland regions were advised to take proactive measures to protect people, animals, and crops during the cold spell.

Livestock should not be grazed outdoors when temperatures fall below 12 degrees Celsius, while animal shelters need to be reinforced and shielded from wind and cold, with sufficient feed provided.

Farmers were also urged to cover rice seedlings and young crops to prevent frost damage.

Authorities added that households should pay special attention to keeping elderly people and children warm, as forecasters expect cold conditions to persist in the coming days, especially in higher-altitude areas.