Cold spell in Vietnam hospitalizes hundreds

State-controlled media said Monday that forecasters predict the cold snap would spread to parts of the central region. The temperatures have fallen as low as -3.6 degrees Celsius (26 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperatures would usually be around 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).Hundreds of people, mostly children and the elderly, have swamped hospitals, mostly due to respiratory illnesses.Vietnam’s northern provinces are among its poorest, with most flimsy houses.