By Diana M. Cleto
Environmental specialists have warned that air pollution in Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, is expected to continue until the end of April – longer than in previous years.
Dr Hoang Duong Tung, an environmental expert cited by Tuoi Tre News, said that air pollution in Hanoi usually peaks from October to March.
However, lower-than-average rainfall and poor atmospheric conditions have hindered the dispersion of fine particulate matter PM2.5.
“Normally, thunderstorms and heavy rains help clear the air, but this year, rainfall is minimal… If this continues, poor air quality could persist until the end of April,” he said.
Tung also expressed concern as he pointed out that data from various agencies reveal that air pollution levels in recent years are not decreasing as expected.
“In fact, recent data shows that air pollution in Hanoi hasn’t improved. It’s actually getting worse, which is alarming,” he said.
Contributors to fine dust pollution
According to a study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, traffic is the main contributor to fine dust pollution in the capital city.
Petrol and diesel vehicles are responsible for 46% of PM2.5 emissions, with motorbikes accounting for over 90% of traffic-related volatile organic compounds.
Industry is the second-largest source, with Hanoi hosting 10 industrial zones and about 1,300 craft villages.
Additionally, neighbouring provinces within a 50- to 100-kilometre radius host major polluters such as coal power plants, cement factories and chemical facilities.
The third-largest source is the burning of agricultural waste, contributing 13% of the pollution.
The worst air quality periods often align with the summer-autumn and winter-spring rice harvests, when farmers in outlying districts burn rice straw in open fields.
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Vietnam yet to achieve meaningful improvement in air quality
Since 1993, the Southeast Asian country has introduced a series of legal measures in an attempt to address air pollution, but it has yet to achieve meaningful improvement.
Environmental specialists stressed the need for stronger government leadership and more aggressive implementation of environmental policies.
They also emphasised that directives tackling air pollution and advancing green transport transition are crucial.
Additionally, they recommended that Vietnam review and learn from successful international models, such as Beijing, China, which transitioned to over 10,000 electric buses in just two years – becoming a global benchmark for air pollution control.
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