Ho Chi Minh City heatwave: Truth behind 53°C report

To clear up the matter, Le Dinh Quyet, head of the Southern and Central Highlands Weather Center, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the widely shared 53-degree Celsius figure was not the actual air temperature or what people would physically feel. 

Instead, it referred to surface temperature.

He explained that this number was recorded on surfaces like asphalt or concrete exposed to direct sunlight.

These materials absorb and retain heat, often registering much higher temperatures than the surrounding air.

Surface temperature readings are important for sectors such as energy, healthcare, and transportation, which are vulnerable to extreme heat conditions.

The perceived temperature—the one people actually feel—is calculated using air temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

These factors are crucial for assessing health risks during heatwaves, particularly for groups such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.

“The perceived temperature is much lower than the 53 degrees Celsius recorded on sun-exposed surfaces,” Quyet said.

He added that confusion often arises when technical terms are not clearly explained in media coverage. 

In this case, some social media posts and news outlets misrepresented the data, leading to public misunderstanding.

The weather center on Wednesday issued a warning that the perceived temperature could reach up to 53 degrees Celsius, nearly 20 degrees higher than the actual meteorological temperature.

This information quickly stirred up discussion on social media.