A cold front is moving into northern Vietnam from China, sending temperatures plunging in many provinces and even causing frost in some places, said the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting.

A cold front that has blown into northern Vietnam is likely to cause frost in some mountainous areas (Photo: Kinh te & Do thi)

On January 12 Mau Son in Lang Son Province, Mount Fansipan and Sapa in Lao Cai Province, and Sin Ho in Lai Chau Province would see temperatures drop below 0^oC, the center said.

In the central region, they would fall to 11- 12^oC. 

Earlier, on January 11, some northeastern provinces saw temperatures plunge to 6-7^oC and even to 1^oC in some places. In Ha Noi it dropped to 7^oC from 9^oC the day before.

The cold weather killed 10 buffalo calves in Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province. Other provinces have yet to report their cattle death toll.

The cold front could bring hail after Tet, Luu Minh Hai, deputy director of the center, said.