According to information given by the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, due to the influence of the cold spell, both northern and northern central regions see temperatures plummet from Wednesday night.

It is forecast that temperatures might drop below 18 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, while the lowest temperatures in other areas will be between 19 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures in Hanoi will also start to dip from Friday, with the cold being exacerbated by drizzly weather conditions the following day.

Local residents are therefore advised to keep warm in order to protect their health in the cold weather, particularly those in mountainous areas.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Kompasu with winds gusting nearly 100kph near its centre has lost its strength after entering the Gulf of Tonkin, and it forecast to pound central coastal provinces of Vietnam later on Thursday.