A severe cold spell has embraced northern and central regions and will linger over the coming 3-5 days, according to the National Hydro Meteorological Forecast Centre.

On Jan. 4, chilling temperature started covering northeastern provinces and some provinces in the northwestern and northern central regions, and is extending to southern central coastal provinces on Jan. 5.

The centre also reported that Mau Son Mountain in northern mountaineous Lang Son province saw the lowest temperature of 1 Celsius degree on Jan. 4. The temperature has also plunged down to 6 Celsius degrees in Sa Pa of Lao Cai province, and 9 Celsius degrees in northern Cao Bang and Ha Giang provinces.

Luu Minh Hai, Vice Director of Lao Cai Hydro Meteorological Forecast Centre, said in the next few days, the temperature might further decrease in the northwestern region.

In Hanoi , temperatures hovered around 9-10 Celsius degrees. The entire northern and central regions have been showered by extreme cold./.