Hanoi on the hottest day in the country.

Observations in Hanoi on the morning of May 24th showed clear skies and bright sunshine. As noon approached, the sun intensified, and humidity dropped to around 45-50%, making the air hot, stuffy, and noticeably dry and uncomfortable for those on the streets. Due to the urban heat island effect, temperatures in Hanoi fluctuated between 37-39 degrees Celsius, with some areas experiencing exceptionally intense heat exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.

Observations at Hoan Kiem Lake at 1:30 PM on May 24th showed a noticeable lack of people, despite the area being a pedestrian zone for the weekend.

At intersections, the sight of pedestrians taking advantage of shade under trees, awnings, or other shady areas to wait for red lights is no longer uncommon. However, in places without shade, waiting at red lights for 60-120 seconds is a "torture" for commuters.

At the Khuat Duy Tien intersection (Thanh Xuan ward) at 12:40 PM, one child slumped over the motorcycle's dashboard, while another leaned against an adult's back, hoping to escape the scorching sun.

The sweltering weather, coupled with dust and smoke from ongoing construction and demolition projects, makes the streets feel suffocating for commuters. This image was taken at the site of the Ring Road 2.5 land clearance project in Thanh Xuan ward at 2:30 PM.

To cope with the harsh weather, people going out are equipped with sun-protective clothing, face masks, sunglasses, gloves, and wide-brimmed hats. Some even wear winter coats to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays.

At some construction sites, the construction crews are spraying water to settle dust and dirt, and also cleaning trees and sidewalks in nearby areas. The image was taken on Hue Street at 1:15 PM.

A man felt uncomfortable going out without sun protection, experiencing a noticeable burning sensation when ultraviolet rays directly hit his skin.

Not only does the oppressive heat intensify, but the actual temperature on the road surface, concrete areas, glass, or metal roofs can be much higher than the forecast. In large cities like Hanoi, many streets experience scorching heat at midday, forcing commuters to cover themselves completely.

To cope with the heat and avoid ultraviolet rays, many people going out have to find ways to protect themselves from the sun, such as wearing face masks, wearing clothes with cooling fans, and covering their heads with wet towels... Every shaded area is utilized by outdoor workers to rest and regain their strength.

Many street-side businesses have to put up tarpaulins, erect awnings, or use large umbrellas to block direct sunlight.

According to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, the widespread heatwave in Northern Vietnam is expected to last until around May 27-28.

Source: https://znews.vn/ha-noi-trong-ngay-nang-nong-nhat-ca-nuoc-post1653836.html