A large number of people in northern Vietnam, mostly babies and the elderly, have been hospitalised as a result of the sudden cold weather (below 10 degrees Celsius) accompanied by drizzling rain.

Many major hospitals in Hanoi such as Bach Mai, Saint Paul, the National Children's Hospital and the National Burn Institute also experienced a surge in the number of patients.

More than 120 children have been brought to Saint Paul hospital for treatment.

Some people suffered serious burns as an indirect result of the cold weather. An elderly man in Bac Ninh province fell into a wood-fired space heater and burned himself. He also had breathing difficulties. An 8-year-old child was also burnt when an electric hot water bag exploded.

Those with hypertension and asthma are also vulnerable to the freezing weather and many incidents of strokes have been reported in both young and middle-aged people.

Doctors warn people to try to avoid sudden changes of temperature and early morning exercise.

In addition, schools have been asked to ensure class rooms have proper windows and doors as well as lighting systems.

Primary students are allowed to stay at home on days when temperatures drop below 10 degree Celsius; while secondary students do not have to attend school if the temperature drops below 7 degree Celsius.

Parents are able to stay updated with weather forecasts by tuning into updates on Viet Nam Television's VTV1 channel at 6am everyday.

Nguyen Thi Hang, principal at a kindergarten in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District, said 170 out of their 650 students have not come to classes since Tuesday due to the cold spell.

The situation is the same on Hanoi's outskirts.

"Only 137 students went to school on Wednesday out of a total of 560," said Hoang Nhat Le, principal of Tan Vien Kindergarten School in mountainous Ba Vi District.

We have adjusted school times and provided more blankets, warm water and slippers to keep students warm, she said.

Hanoi in cold weather:

At hospitals: