Northern and Central Highland provinces can expect very cold weather until Saturday, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast.
 

People lighted fire to warm themselves under the cold weather, Ha Noi.

A current of cold air from China has moved south, and has affected the mountain provinces of the north.  It will then flow to the northern parts of the Central Highlands region on 30 and 31 January.

Northeastern winds blew force 6 gales offshore in the Gulf of Tonkin, causing very choppy seas.

Citizens in the north fear that the cold will cause problems with rice seedlings in some areas. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directed provinces to instruct citizens to use plastic and protect rice seedlings from the cold.