December 29, 2022
LÀO CAI — Sleet and snow blanketed Mount Fansipan in Sa Pa early Wednesday morning, covering the top of the highest mountain in Indochina at an altitude of 2,800m.
Snowfall began as temperatures on the mountain fell below minus 1 degree Celsius. The sleet lasted about three hours from 5 am and will continue on the top of the 3,143-m mount.
Lưu Minh Hải, former director of the Lào Cai Hydro-meteorological Station, said that this snowfall is similar to February 2021. He predicted that snow and sleet would continue on top of Fansipan in the following days.
The majestic beauty of the mountains and forests combined with the snowy scene give Sa Pa a fairyland feel. The site is expected to draw many visitors as the New Year holiday is coming.
Also on Tuesday morning, the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car brought the first visitors to the top of Fansipan to enjoy this rare scene in a tropical country like Việt Nam.
As a safeguard against the weather, Lao Cai Province has directed local authorities to strengthen measures to protect people, animals and plants from the cold.
Visitors to Sa Pa are advised to be very careful when driving due to slippery roads, especially in high mountains such as the top of Ô Quý Hồ pass.
Snow on Mount Fansipan. — Photo vov.vn
A strong cold spell is enveloping the northern and the north-central region, while wind convergence at high altitudes is causing cloudy skies and precipitation of various levels across these regions.
The lowest temperature in the northern delta on Wednesday is about 10-13 degrees Celsius, 6-9 degrees in the uplands, and maybe down to three degrees in high mountainous areas. The highest temperatures do not exceed 19 degrees, 11-13 degrees, and below 10 degrees, in these three areas, respectively.
A further drop of 2-3 degrees is expected on Thursday. — VNS
Tourists on Fansipan Mount. — VNA/VNS Photo