Vietnam is one of many countries across South and Southeast Asia experiencing record-high temperatures in recent weeks.
As the temperature rose to 36 degrees Celsius, Bui Manh Duc Tai and his napping girlfriend were among those at the Aeon shopping mall trying to escape the blistering heat.
"Our home was without power since this morning. We came here for some cool air," Tai told AFP.
In another corner, student Nguyen Minh Thu sat on the floor trying to finish an assignment on her laptop.
"I had to come here for power so I could study," the agriculture student said, adding the electricity at her home had been on and off all morning.
Scientists have warned that global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events around the world, including heat waves.
Drought and a prolonged heatwave have put a lot of pressure on power supplies in the country's north, according to supplier Vietnam Electricity.
At another packed mall outside Hanoi, families with young children sought refuge in the air-conditioning.
"I have been here with my two young kids since lunch time. The kids can play, while I can go shopping. We will go back home after dinner. Hoping the power is back then," Do Thuy Dung said.
Average power consumption in Hanoi in May increased by more than 22.5 percent compared with April, Vietnam Electricity said.
State media also reported power cuts in recent days in Quang Ninh province -- home to the world heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
Several restaurants in Ha Long city were out of food on Friday night because power outages meant people could not cook at home.
Power cuts also hit hotels on popular islands.
Authorities have also turned off streetlights in some major cities to save power.
Heatwave prompts Hanoi to reduce street lights as power cuts loom
Hanoi (AFP) May 31, 2023 -
Faced with record-breaking heat, Vietnam's capital Hanoi has turned off some street lights to save electricity as demand for air conditioning soars.
Parks in the city of eight million people are now plunged into total darkness after 11 pm, while two-thirds of street lights are also switched off at the same hour.
Scientists have warned that global warming is intensifying extreme weather events such as heatwaves.
In early May, Vietnam recorded its highest-ever temperature -- 44.1 degrees Celsius (111.38 degrees Fahrenheit) -- breaking a previous record set in 2019.
The country sweltered under a heatwave in April, and another in late May, and state electricity company EVN has warned that huge demand from air conditioners and fans has put the national power system under strain.
Adding to the problems, a severe drought in northern Vietnam means water levels at hydropower dams are 30 to 40 percent lower than normal.
"I am worried about a power shortage, which may badly impact us during the hot summer," Hanoi resident Do Tung Duong said while on a walk in the dim city centre.
Another resident, Vu Thi Hoa, told AFP she agreed with the measure to cut public lighting.
"We should turn off unnecessary electric equipment, especially the lights. It feels hotter if there are too many lights on," she said.
"We need power for fans and air conditioners. It will be terrible if there is a power cut."
Hanoi Public Lighting Company HAPULICO reduced the city's street lights in response to EVN's calls for energy saving.
Public lighting is switched on half an hour later than usual, and turned off half an hour sooner.
Although some cuts are made to street lights every year, "the power saving scheme is in a wider area this year, covering 70 percent of the city's public lighting system," HAPULICO deputy director Le Trung Kien told local media.
"We still ensure enough lighting for traffic, security and order."
HAPULICO said the cuts may last until the end of August.
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