A widespread heatwave has gripped Ho Chi Minh City and other southern Vietnamese provinces, forcing many residents and visitors to seek shade while outdoor workers like delivery drivers and street vendors are braving the scorching conditions to earn a living.

The southern metropolis has experienced intense heat over the past few days, lasting well into the afternoon.

Paved surfaces and buildings absorb and radiate heat, pushing the perceived temperature even higher than official forecasts.

Amid the heat, locals and tourists alike have sought refuge under the city’s few shaded areas. 

Popular tree-lined streets such as Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Du, and Chu Manh Trinh in District 1 have become temporary shelters. 

Thanks to its century-old trees, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street remains one of the most comfortable routes for pedestrians.

Tej and Pam, a Canadian married couple, happily take photos at Tao Dan Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

Tourists have also adjusted their sightseeing plans, opting for shaded streets like Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, and Pasteur, or taking breaks in city parks.

French couple Alice and Raphael said their walks around the tree-covered paths of Tao Dan Park in District 1 provided a refreshing escape. 

Tej and Pam, a Canadian married couple that managed to find cooler walking routes with the help of locals, echoed this sentiment, adding, "Even though it's hotter than Canada, we find it enjoyable and relaxing."

Ride-hailing drivers pull over under a bridge to escape the heat in Ho Chi Minh City before resuming work through noon. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

For many, escaping the relentless heat is not an option. 

Delivery drivers, construction workers, and street vendors must push through the extreme temperatures to make ends meet.

At noon, motorbike delivery drivers dart across the city, hurrying to drop off food orders. Others briefly pull over under bridges or roadside trees to grab a quick meal before resuming work.

Nguyen Huu Thang, a 39-year-old food delivery driver from Binh Chanh District, quickly ate his pre-packed meal under the Ba Son Bridge in District 1 while wiping sweat from his face.

"I can't afford to take a break," he said, explaining that fewer drivers work at noon, making it a good time to pick up extra orders.

Nguyen Huu Thang, a 39-year-old food delivery driver from Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, quickly eats his pre-packed lunch to continue working through midday. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

The intense sun has darkened his forearms, leaving visible tan lines.

Thang carried a pack of heatstroke medicine, a precaution for drivers braving the midday sun.

"If I start feeling dizzy or sleepy, I take one immediately. It’s bad for my health, but it’s the only way to keep going," he added before hopping back on his bike.

Nguyen Tan Tai, a 57-year-old security guard at the Ba Son metro station, repeatedly washes his face to cool down from the intense heat over the past few days. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

Nearby, Nguyen Tan Tai, a 57-year-old security guard at the Ba Son metro station, poured water over his head to cool down. 

"I drink a lot of water," he said, pointing to a half-eaten lunch box. "I can't eat much in this heat."

Many outdoor workers including ride-hailing drivers, workers, and construction laborers persist in their work despite the temperature reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thi Kim, a 68-year-old lottery ticket vendor, received a delivery of ice water from her son to combat the heat. 

"Some days, I can't work because of the headache," Kim said.

Sanitation workers, scrap collectors, and construction laborers continue to work under the relentless sun, braving the heat to earn their daily wages.

The Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center predicted that the heatwave will intensify toward the end of March, with temperatures potentially exceeding 38 degrees Celsius.

A sign displays the temperature of 39 degrees Celsius at 12:11 pm on March 14, 2025 at the Hang Xanh Intersection in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

The tree-lined Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1 provides some relief from the sweltering heat. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

The heat lasts from the morning until the evening, with the most intense and scorching period occurring between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

Tree-lined streets have slightly cooler temperatures. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

The extreme heat, combined with high UV radiation, leaves people exhausted when spending extended periods outdoors. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

For those working outdoors for long hours, the heat has become unbearable. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

The shaded and cool Gia Dinh Park in Ho Chi Minh City is a popular spot for people seeking refuge from the sun. Photo: Long Vu / Tuoi Tre

A sanitation worker collects trash under the blazing sun on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

Sau, a resident of Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, shared that in this hot weather, free iced tea stations are invaluable to outdoor workers. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

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