On the morning of July 15, residents across Central Vietnam were left astonished after witnessing a long, glowing streak moving across the sky.

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A bright streak appeared in the Central Vietnam sky on the morning of July 15. Photo: NLD

Photos and videos quickly went viral on social media, showing a bright trail stretching through the early morning sky. People from Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and nearby areas reported spotting the unusual phenomenon around dawn.

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Image captured by a resident at 4:40 a.m. today. Photo: FB Nguyen Viet Hiep

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Photo: FB Tran Anh Thu

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the luminous trail was caused by China’s launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft. 

The mission lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province using a Long March 7 rocket at 5:34 a.m. Beijing time (4:34 a.m. Hanoi time).

The center explained that the phenomenon occurred as the rocket traveled through the stratosphere or higher altitudes.

Emissions from the rocket engine - including water vapor, propellant gases, and other chemicals - reflected sunlight coming from just below the horizon, producing a luminous white or colorful trail that spread dramatically across the night sky.

While the event had no impact on weather or the environment, it captured the attention of many netizens thanks to its rare and captivating beauty.

Vu Diep