Luu Minh Hai, director of Lao Cai provincial Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, warned local people to take timely measures to protect crops and animals and build shelters to protect their livestock against the cold weather.

He added that the snow and heavy rain will continue for the next few days and it will probably block traffic on many roads. 

However, many tourists have booked hotel rooms in Sapa tonight to enjoy the beauty of snow.