Vietnam hit by one of most severe May heatwaves since 2021

Nguyen Van Huong, head of weather forecasting at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the ongoing heat spell is the second major hot period of May.

“This heatwave has lasted longer and been more intense than the hot spell recorded from May 13 to 16, making it one of the three most severe heatwaves to hit in May since 2021,” Huong said.

Daily temperatures have ranged from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, while hot conditions have persisted from morning until evening, creating oppressive and stifling weather conditions, Huong said.

The heatwave has also been intensified by dry foehn winds, commonly known in Vietnam as Lao winds, which have lowered humidity and increased thermal radiation, he added.

Huong said the combination of high morning temperatures and lingering humidity has made conditions feel more uncomfortable because sweat evaporates more slowly.

Widespread heat in northern Vietnam and Hanoi is expected to continue through Wednesday, with temperatures between 36 and 39 degrees Celsius and some places exceeding 39 degrees Celsius before rainfall helps ease the conditions afterward.

In central Vietnam, extreme heat is forecast to gradually weaken from Friday.

The areas from Thanh Hoa Province to Da Nang City and eastern Quang Ngai Province are expected to record temperatures of 38-40 degrees Celsius, with some locations above 40 degrees Celsius through Thursday.

The eastern areas from Gia Lai to Lam Dong Provinces are also forecast to face severe heat, with temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius and relative humidity as low as 40-45 percent.

Huong said official weather readings are measured under standard conditions about two meters above ground in ventilated shelters, while actual outdoor temperatures in urban areas could be significantly higher because asphalt, concrete, and metal surfaces absorb and radiate heat.

He advised people to avoid direct exposure to the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, drink enough water, limit sudden temperature changes between outdoor heat and air-conditioned rooms, and watch for symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.

Outdoor workers, children, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions are among the groups most vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration during prolonged hot weather, he added.