On January 10-11, snow fell on Bat Xat district and Sa Patown in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, the first of its kindthis year.
From January 9-11 in Yen Bai, frost and thick fog appearedin several communes of Tram Tau and Mu Cang Chai districts, mostly in areas atan altitude of over 1,600m such as Ban Mu, Ban Cong, Xa Ho and Lang Nhi.
In Dien Bien, about 55,000 students of about 130 schools wereallowed to be absent from class to avoid coldness.
In Lai Chau on January 11, students were off school due tobitter and severe cold climate.
National Highway 4D in the province was also frozen, causingtraffic congestion as vehicles were unable to move on slippery surface.
Deputy head of the Weather Forecast Office from the NationalCentre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Nguyen Huu Thanh said another northeastcold spell will strike the north and north central regions from January 17-18. Later,bitter and severe cold spell will last 2-3 days following January 20.
Further information about weather conditions could be foundon the websites nchmf.gov.vn, kttv.gov.vn, and www.khituongvietnam.gov.vn, or themass media./.