White frost lay sprinkled across many localities in northern Vietnam as temperatures dropped to below zero degrees Celsius. 

In Lang Son Province, sparse frost first appeared at the top of Mau Son Mount in Loc Binh District. On Friday, temperatures hit minus two degrees Celsius and plunged to negative three Saturday morning.

Branches and leaves on Mau Son have crystallized overnight. The weather is biting with strong winds and light drizzles.

The 3 km long road to Mau Son peak is lined with frost-covered trees. At noon, temperatures typically warm up to within the zero to one degree Celsius range, keeping the frost intact and thick.

In coastal Quang Ninh Province, frost lays scattered across the areas near Dong (Bronze) Temple on Yen Tu Mountain peak in Uong Bi Town and border marker 1297 which is located between Binh Lieu District (Quang Ninh Province) and Dinh Lap District (Lang Son Province).

On top of Cao Ly mountain in Binh Lieu District, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, frost envelops the mountainous landscape and wintry plants.

A tourist takes a picture at border marker 1297 at an altitude of 800 meters.

In Lao Cai Province, frost arrived in Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat District and Sa Pa Town. According to local border guards, most trees along the patrolled border line are enveloped in a light layer of frost.

During a routine patrol, a border guard carefully instructs locals in ways to keep themselves, their cattle, poultry, and plants warm and healthy.

Ha Giang Province first saw frost in Xin Cai Commune of Meo Vac District and Dong Van District when temperatures dropped to one degree Celsius.

Raindrops on branches crystallize into sharp shards hanging off of trees in Xin Cai Commune, Meo Vac District.

In preparation for the biting cold, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has provided detailed guidance for people, especially elders, children and students, as well as on precautionary measures for agriculture and livestock.

Across low-altitude gardens, all vegetation is sprinkled with soft rime. Local officials have forecast coming weather conditions so locals could harvest short-term crops.

In Lai Chau Province, frost started dusting O Quy Ho Heaven Gate in Son Binh Commune, Tam Duong District at 10 p.m. Friday night.

Pham Van Dinh, chairman of Son Binh Commune People’s Committee, said frost has only reached areas surrounding O Quy Ho whereas other areas are experiencing mostly rime showers.

Local officials have personally traveled to villages to assist locals in dealing with the cold, tending farms, and storing food.

The National Center for Hydro-Meterological Forecasting predicts the glacial cold could last from Jan. 7 - 13. From Jan. 11, humidity levels would drop and temperatures hover around five to 10 degrees Celsius at night and 15 to 18 degrees Celsius during the day. For mountainous locations, temperatures would be two to four degrees Celsius lower.