An intense cold wave has struck Vietnam’s northern provinces, sending temperatures to as low as 3 degrees Celsius in the high mountains, according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre (NHMFC).

In the capital Hanoi, the temperatures will fall to 10-13 degrees Celsius, the national weather service said.

During the cold snap, forecast to last until January 14, the lowest temperatures in the Red River Delta will average around 10-12 degrees Celsius while the lowest temperatures in mountainous provinces will drop to 6-9 degrees Celsius.

As a result of strengthening cold air, rains of varying degrees are forecast in many places throughout the region on the night of January 8 and early morning the following day while frost is expected in the high mountains.