A sudden weather change in Northern Vietnam has attracted the attention of everyone around the world, now that the Southeast Asian country has started snowing.
The people of Northern Vietnam flocked to the mountains of Lao Cai and Ha Giang to witness their very own winter wonderland.
While many are excited about the unusual weather, Northern Vietnamese farmers are worried about their damaged crops. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Sa Pa, more than 100 hectares of chayote and another 100 hectares of flowers are buried under snow.
The thick ice has also blocked 10 kilometers of Highway linking Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. The freezing temperatures which have dropped below 5 degrees Celcius, also stopped more than 8,500 pre-school and primary school students from going to school. Students in 63 schools in Sa Pa, including 20 nurseries, 22 primary and 21 secondary schools, have also been allowed to stay at home on Monday and Tuesday. The Lau Chau Department of Education and Training says that more than 500 blankets have been sent to the students to ease difficulties.
While snow is unheard of in most parts of Vietnam, it does occasionally occur in the highest northern mountains during winter. The snowfall in Sa Pa usually attracts tourists, causing congestion from the provincial capital of Lao Cai to the resort town.
