With temperatures rising to 37 degrees Celsius on Sunday, streets near the famous Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi were deserted.
Many other northern localities are also recording high temperatures. A station in Son La Province measured 43.3 degrees Celsius on May 31, the highest temperature ever recorded in May.
The heat wave is expected to lessen gradually and end on Monday.
Trang Tien Street, one of the most popular streets for both locals and tourists, saw a few people sitting in the shade to escape intense sunlight.
Roads looked blurry as air was heated near Thang Long Avenue. At a distance of 500 meters it was difficult to see other vehicles.
“I put on a towel to absorb sweat, otherwise I would get dizzy easily,” said Vu Van Nam, a street food vendor in Cau Giay District.
On Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, a mason exposed his back to the sun, saying that wearing a shirt would only soak it in sweat.
Sugar cane juice is a favorite beverage during hot weather. Dung in Thanh Xuan District said his store has been working at full capacity this week due to high demand.
From 8 a.m. to late evening, he sells over 600 cups each day.
Inside a mall in Thanh Xuan District, many people were seen walking around or shopping.
Many residents have been going to air-conditioned malls amid power cuts in recent days.
