May 26May 26 Photo courtesy of VN ExpressAirport workers in Vietnam, under extreme heat conditions, are striving to keep flights on schedule as temperatures at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport reach up to 80 degrees Celsius on the tarmac. This intense heat is intensified by the summer travel surge, with ground service workers like Tran Tuan Nguyen navigating sweltering conditions to manage baggage and coordinate ground support. Despite the challenges, Nguyen and his team motivate each other to ensure safe, timely departures for hundreds of passengers.Get today's headlines by email Northern and central regions of Vietnam are enduring severe heat, with temperatures often surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, but rising even higher from concrete radiation. These harsh conditions affect not only ground service personnel but also aircraft technicians, cargo handlers, and aviation security officers who work tirelessly under the sun to perform essential safety inspections and maintenance checks. The need for precision is critical, as even minor errors could disrupt entire flights.To combat the oppressive heat, aviation operators are enhancing hydration stations, increasing rest breaks, improving workplace cooling, and tweaking operational schedules. Vietnam Airlines has also expedited aircraft turnaround times and pre-cooled passenger cabins to ensure comfort and efficiency during the busy season. The intense heatwave saw Hanoi reaching a peak of 40.7 degrees Celsius, with similar conditions recorded in eight other provinces and cities, expected to continue until Thursday.Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 26 May 2026
May 27May 27 1 hour ago, Scott Tracy said:80C? And the humidity is? I find this very hard to believe.On the tarmac. But still very hard condition to work with.
May 27May 27 Tarmac (tarmacadam) would melt at 80 degrees C. Aircraft movement areas at Hanoi are concrete.
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