These days, the sale of air conditioners and fans in Hanoi has sharply increased as the city swelters under 39 degrees heats.

New ‘air-conditioning’ fans that can help temperatures fall by 15 degrees Celsius are proving popular.

These fans cost from VND3-6 million (USD140-285) each.

These days, the sale of air conditioners and fans in Hanoi has sharply increased

A representative from Nguyen Kim electronic store on Trang Thi District, Hanoi, said that air-conditioning fans were among the store's the best sellers, along with air-conditioners.

According to Pico, one of the biggest electronic centres in Hanoi, the purchase of air conditioners, especially 9,000-12,000 BTU unites, and fans this summer were up 30% on last year. The most popular brands are Daikin, Panasonic, and Mitsubishi.

Electronic stores in many big streets in Hanoi, including Nguyen Luong Bang and Tay Son, have also seen the drastic rise in orders.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan, owner of an electronics shop in Nguyen Luong Bang Street, said that "We have sold out of VND6-8 million air conditioners, so people need to put a deposit down before we order. Prices for air-con units normally rise by VND1 million during the summer."

The prices of air conditioners this summer are roughly VND700,000-2 million higher than those of the last year.

Hanoi is forecast to continue seeing the blazing hot weather this summer when temperatures may top 40 degrees on the streets.