Countries worldwide, including Vietnam, are bracing themselves for the arrival of a rare solar eclipse on June 21, a total of 11 years after the previous one.

The phenomenon is set to begin in Central Africa, before passing through Saudi Arabia, northern India, parts of southern China, before concluding in the Pacific Ocean.

However, a number of regions globally such as East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia will be able to enjoy a partial eclipse, including Vietnam.

Hanoi will see the partial eclipse begin at 1:16pm before reaching the maximum eclipse at 2:55pm when the moon moves in front of the centre of the sun, covering 71% of it in the process, with the occurrence set to end at 4:18pm on June 21.

Elsewhere, citizens in Da Nang will be able to witness the moment the moon reaches the sun’s edge at 1:30pm, with the central city expected to see an eclipse covering 56% of the sun at 3:04pm. 

Ho Chi Minh City will see the event occur at 1:37pm, with the partial eclipse covering 36% of the sun at 3:05pm, with the moon to leave the sun’s edge at 4:18pm.

Once the eclipse passes, Vietnamese people will have to wait a further three years in order to witness the phenomenon again, with the next one scheduled for April 20, 2023, with the sun only expected to be 5% covered.

Over the course of the next decade, two partial eclipses are set to occur in both 2027 and 2028, with 15% and 30% of the sun expected to be covered, respectively.