A new frosty cold wave has been hitting Hanoi and northern Vietnam, accompanied by scattered rainfall, according to the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Center (NCHMF).

Under the influence of the cold front, temperatures across the region drop to under 10 degrees Celsius.

The center said that the cold front has created severely cold weather conditions and possible snows in some mountainous areas and then expand to certain parts of the central Vietnam.

Snow covered trees in Phia Oac forest in the northern province of Cao Bang. File Photo

Temperatures in Hanoi slightly increased this weekend, with the reading of 19 degrees Celsius at some points, the NCHMF said, adding that the capital city has earlier experienced the coldest spell in nearly four decades.

In the meantime, extreme wintry climate is expected to hit provinces from the north to Thua Thien-Hue province in the central region, with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 15 degrees Celsius.

The lowest temperatures during the time the region is hit by the cold snap are ten to 12 degrees Celsius, and four to seven degrees Celsius in mountainous areas.

The northern mountainous region suffered from extreme wintry climate between January 10 and 11, with temperatures dropping dramatically, causing dense ice.

The Pha Din area in Dien Bien province, for instance, saw temperature drop to 0.5 degrees Celsius, way lower than the 1.0 below zero degrees. In the touristic town of Sa Pa in Lao Cai province, temperature also dropped to 1.0 below zero degrees, with snow fall.

In Mau Son mountain in Lang Son province, temperature set a new record low on January 11, with reading of 1.0 below zero degrees.

On January 12 and 13, the mountainous areas could have snows, with the lowest temperatures of two to three degrees Celsius.

Such severely cold weather conditions have killed a large number of cattle and crops in the northern mountainous areas, with no specific figures released yet, according to a report by the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control.

Nearly 55,000 students in the northern region to have to take school break due to chilly weather.