HCMC – Temperatures in HCMC could drop to around 19 degrees Celsius over the weekend of January 3–4 as a strengthened cold air mass spreads southward, according to the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center.
Le Dinh Quyet, head of the forecasting division at the center, said the intensified cold air is affecting northern and central regions and gradually diffusing into southern provinces, lowering temperatures across the region. Weather conditions are expected to feature variable cloud cover, sunny days and no rain, while early mornings will be chilly, with temperatures commonly ranging from 20 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius.
In HCMC, minimum temperatures during the weekend are forecast at 20–21 degrees Celsius, while some northeastern and neighboring areas may see lows of about 19 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs in the city are expected to hover around 30–31 degrees Celsius.
The hilly tourist town of Dalat will continue to record the lowest temperatures in the southern region, with minimum levels of around 8 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, coastal tourist destinations such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Con Dao and Phu Quoc are forecast to enjoy milder weather, with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius.
After the current cold spell weakens around January 6–7, another cold air surge is expected to move southward, causing a slight decline in temperatures in southern Vietnam from the middle of next week.
On a nationwide scale, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said cold air activity in January 2026 is likely to be close to the long-term average. Severe cold conditions may occur across large parts of northern and north-central Vietnam, with frost and ice possible in mountainous areas. Cold air is also expected to bring widespread rainfall to provinces from Nghe An to Hue and along the south-central coast.
