They said the event may be seen most clearly from the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, Vietnam, with the rate of up to 73.2%. Hanoi is among localities where the total solar eclipse can be seen at 67.3%.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is wholly or partially obscured. This can only happen during a new moon, when the sun and moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. Up to four solar eclipses occur each year, but total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any location because during each eclipse totality exists only in the relatively tiny area of the moon' + char(39)+ N's umbra.

A total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon and many people travel to remote locations to observe one. The 1999 total eclipse in Europe helped to increase public awareness of the phenomenon, as illustrated by the number of journeys made specifically to witness the 2005 annular eclipse and the 2006 total eclipse. The solar eclipse in August will be the fifth total solar eclipse of the 21st century.