Vietnam to observe nearly 1 hour of ‘blood moon’ tonight

According to the Hanoi Astronomy Association (HAS), the phenomenon will unfold late on Tuesday afternoon (Vietnam time), when the earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow over the lunar surface.

As the eclipse reaches totality, the moon will turn a deep copper-red, creating the dramatic effect that gives rise to the term ‘blood moon.’

HAS said Vietnam is well positioned to observe the spectacle, with the color shift already underway as the moon rises above the eastern horizon in the early evening.

According to Vietnam time, the penumbral phase begins at 3:44:25 pm, followed by the partial phase at 4:50:07 pm, though neither stage is visible from Vietnam.

The total eclipse becomes visible in Vietnam at 6:04:34 pm, reaches its maximum at 6:33:46 pm, and ends at 7:02:49 pm, lasting just over 58 minutes.

Afterward, the eclipse will transition back to a partial phase, which concludes at 8:17:15 pm, before the penumbral stage ends at 9:23:06 pm, marking the close of the event.

The Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA) said that including the partial phase, the eclipse will span three hours and 27 minutes, while counting the penumbral stage extends the overall duration to more than five hours.

VACA noted that the eclipse can be observed from anywhere in Vietnam provided skies are clear, with ideal viewing spots including coastal areas, hills, mountains, or high-rise buildings offering an unobstructed view toward the eastern horizon.

Residents in low-lying urban neighborhoods, however, may have difficulty seeing the ‘blood moon’ in its early stages due to blocked sightlines.

According to HAS, this will be the only total lunar eclipse of 2026 and also the only such event over the next three years.

Those who miss it will have to wait until the turn of 2029 to see the moon turn red again.