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Blackouts prompt foreign tourists to flee northern Vietnam
Many foreign tourists who flocked to the northern region to enjoy summer holidays have changed their travel itineraries or returned home early due to massive power outages.
Singaporean Weichao, 32, visited Ha Long with his friends in early June, but the power went out on the first night of his trip.
"We couldn't stand being in our hotel because it was too hot," he said.
The power was suddenly cut on the second night as well. Desperate, Weichao and his group were forced to sit on the lobby floor and fan themselves through the night.
After talking to local residents, Weichao learned that the massive power outages could last even longer over the next few days. So he and his friends cut their trip short, packed their luggage, and returned home.
Many parts of Ha Long, home to a UNESCO world heritage site bay and beautiful beaches, have been suffering sudden power cuts over the past several days, affecting the tourism industry during the peak summer travel season.
Indian Ganesh Krishnan and his wife booked a rental in Ha Long through Airbnb.
After they arrived, Krishnan was about to visit a grocery store to stock up on provisions for their stay. But then the power suddenly went out.
"My wife was scared. She called me and I rushed back because the street lights were out," he said.
When Krishnan returned to the Airbnb, the whole neighborhood was covered in darkness.
"I had to walk up the stairs to get to the 8th floor and it was such a horrible experience," he said.
He tried booking another four or five-star hotel, but he could not reach anyone due to the blackout.
"We decided to stay overnight," he said. "But we couldn’t sleep due to the heat. That was a terrible travel experience."
The next morning when power resumed, the Indian couple immediately packed up their luggage and left their homestay.
Vietnam has received 4.6 million international tourists so far this year, around 60% of the year’s target of 8 million.
Now is the peak summer travel season for the tourism industry as many families flock to beach tourist hubs for holiday escapes
Under the impact of El Nino weather pattern, the north has experienced less rain and more heat waves, with temperatures sometimes climbing to 40 degrees Celsius.
Tran Viet Hoa, director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, said supply in the north (including imported electricity) is equivalent to 17,500-17,900 MW, while demand is about 20,000 MW and could reach 23,500-24,000 MW during hot periods.
The region thus faces a daily shortfall of 30.9 million kWh on average, rising to 50.8 million kWh during peak days, so EVN has been cutting power in the north unannounced.
注释：
prompt: v
表示" 激起；促进；推动；提示"，means " incite or move (person) to action; help sb by suggesting how to continue"，如：His curiosity prompted him to ask questions . 他的好奇心激起他问许多问题。Science and technology has prompted the rapid development of modern society. 科学技术推动了现代社会的迅速发展。She needed to be occasionally prompted.她需要不时给予提示。
UNESCO: abbr.
表示" 联合国教育科学文化组织"，means "United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization"，如：Isfahan is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 伊斯法罕是联合国教科文组织，世界遗产地区。
rental: n
表示" 租费；租借"，means "the act of paying for the use of something (as an apartment or house or car); paying fee"，如：You can pay the rental by the month. 您可以按月缴付租金。Is this a rental or investment property for you?
你这房子是不是用来出租或投资的?
provision: n
表示" 食品饮料（供应）"，means " (supply of) food and drink"，如：We set out with enough provisions. 我们带上足够的食品出发了。
homestay：n
表示" 客居外国家庭;寄宿家庭"，如：Can I change my homestay if it doesn't suit me? 如果我的寄宿家庭不合适我可以换吗?
中文简要说明：
疫情解封后，各国旅游人潮纷纷出笼，不过受到气候变迁和暖化影响，全球各地的夏天愈来愈热，出国避暑有可能变成噩梦一场。最近在越南北部就有不少外国游客，因为受不了酷热的天气，加上当地爆发缺电危机，还没玩到行程就纷纷打包行李，提前返家。
根据越南快讯（VnExpress）报导，越南今年已经迎接460万名游客，占全年观光人次6成，其中名列世界自然遗产之一的北越下龙湾深受观光客喜爱，但当地旅游业近来却饱受缺电冲击。一名来自新加坡的32岁游客伟超（Weichao，音译）到下龙市拜访朋友，不料抵达的第一晚就遇上停电，一行人只能待在饭店大厅，拿扇子搧风降温。「我们无法待在房间里，实在是太热了，」伟超说。
第二天也出现相同情况，电力说断就断。他们向当地人打听情况，得知缺电问题要好一阵子才能解决，当下决定缩短行程打道回府。
另一对印度夫妇也很不幸，他们透过Airbnb订房，当晚外出购物时刚好遇上停电，只能摸黑走8层楼回到住处，在完全没有空调的房间度过一个晚上。后来他们决定隔天就离开。
报导指出，圣婴现象导致越南北部地区降雨减少，热浪频繁出现，高温有时甚至达到摄氏40度以上。越南电力监管局局长陈越华（Tran Viet Hoa）表示，北部的电力需求达到2万兆瓦（MW），用电高峰期甚至高达2.35万至2.4万兆瓦，但供应能力只有1.75万至1.79万兆瓦，不得已只好采取限电措施。
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