For the first time during the lead-up to Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025, snow has fallen on the summit of Fansipan in Sa Pa, with temperatures dropping below freezing.

On the afternoon of January 26, heavy snow was reported at elevations above 3,000 meters, creating a stunning white landscape atop Vietnam's highest peak.

Snow began falling at Fansipan around 2:30 PM, covering wooden platforms, plants, and the iconic summit marker in a thick white layer. By 3:30 PM, the snowfall continued unabated, with temperatures hovering around -2°C, according to Fansipan Legend representatives.

This marks the first significant snow event of the season on Fansipan, following an earlier frost occurrence on November 23, 2024. During that earlier event, ice began forming in the early hours of the morning as temperatures dipped below 0°C. Frost blanketed wooden surfaces and trees at the peak, delighting visitors.

Snow and frost are rare natural phenomena in Vietnam, typically occurring in high-altitude regions of the northern provinces during severe winter cold snaps.

Whenever snow or frost appears, Fansipan becomes a magnet for tourists eager to witness and capture the extraordinary sight.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts continued cold weather for northern Vietnam and parts of north-central Vietnam starting January 26. Severe cold is expected in mountainous areas, with the possibility of frost and freezing rain at higher elevations.

Anh Tam