While tourists were thrilled to experience Sapa's snowfall over the weekend, northern Vietnam's deep freeze was far less pleasant for local residents.
In the mountainous northern region, home to some of the country's poorest residents, many families are struggling to stay warm, as the unusually frigid sub-zero temperatures mean layering up in additional clothing which many don't have, reports Thanh Nien.
Kindergarten teacher Ha Thi Thu Hien, who lives in Lao Cai province's Y Ty Commune, sums up the significance of Sapa's snow for local residents: “To people here, it means fighting the deadly cold,” she told Thanh Nien.
Beyond the issue of keeping warm themselves, many farmers are also facing financial trouble, as the northern freeze has affected over 170 hectares of vegetable fields, totaling more than VND2.3 billion (US$103,500) in losses to the agricultural community.
Those who were expecting to reap the benefits of their harvest just before the Lunar New Year are now looking at a lean holiday. One local farmer, Dinh Viet Phuong, estimated his own loss at VND50 million (US$2,250).
“We’ve lost Tet,” he told Thanh Nien.
According to Le Thanh Hai, deputy director of the national weather forecast center, Vietnam can expect more bouts of harsh weather in future, as climate change is altering local weather in an “extreme” manner, Thanh Nien quoted Hai as saying.
[Photos via Zing]
