Mount Mau Son in Lang Son province has seen the temperature fall to 3.1 degrees Celsius after a strong cold wave swept through the northern region obn Dec. 14, according to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting.

Mau Son could be covered with frost due to the first strong cold spell of this winter.

The low temperature was recorded at 6 a.m. on Dec. 15 on top of the 1,500-metre-high mountain, a popular destination for those who are keen on seeing snow in the tropical country.

In other areas, such as in Dong Van Plateau of Ha Giang province, Trung Khanh district of Cao Bang province, Sa Pa tourist resort of Lao Cai province, and Tam Dao tourist resort of Vinh Phuc province, temperatures have fallen to as low as seven degrees Celsius.

As the cold spell is increasing its intensity, meteorologists said, temperatures are anticipated to fall even more to as low as five degrees Celsius in mountainous region, which could potentially result in spells of frost and snow.

Meanwhile, these impending weather conditions have also affected northwestern and central regions, with temperatures across the entire northern region on Dec. 14 night dropping to between 10 and 12 degrees.

According to weather forecast site accuweather.com, the temperature in Hanoi is set to remain at around 13 to 14 degrees on Dec. 15, with the humidity rising to 72%. It is forecast to fall further to around 11 degrees on Dec. 18, before increasing to between 19 and 20 degrees over the coming days.

Accuweather said this marks the first large-scale cold wave to hit northern Vietnam during the 2020 to 2021 winter season.

From now until early January, the northern region is due to experience between four and six strong cold spells. Local residents, especially the elderly and children, have been advised to don warm clothes to protect their health.