The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, has been grappling with severe air pollution which make it the most polluted city in the world in recent weeks. Thick smog, primarily caused by heavy traffic, industrial activities, and trash burning, has blanketed the city, posing serious health risks to its residents. Vietnam is a thriving manufacturing hub and one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and has long faced severe air pollution challenges in its major cities, especially Hanoi.
PM2.5 Levels Hit Record Highs
AirVisual, a global air quality monitoring platform reported hazardous PM2.5 levels in Hanoi at 266 micrograms per cubic meter on December 3 which is a staggering figure that far exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily exposure limit. These cancer-causing microparticles are small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs which is very dangerous for public health.
According to IQAir, Hanoi recorded PM2.5 levels of 227 micrograms per cubic meter on the same day which is 15 times the WHO’s safe limit. The Swiss air quality monitoring company ranked Hanoi as the world’s most polluted major city during the morning hours before its position improved slightly later in the day.
Government Action: Push for Electric Vehicles
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called for an accelerated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to combat pollution during a December 2 meeting with the Transport Ministry. Authorities have also urged residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activities. By 2030, Hanoi aims for a comprehensive shift to electric buses and taxis as part of a broader strategy to tackle this environmental emergency.
Relief is unlikely until March when seasonal rains are expected to arrive. Until then, the city remains shrouded in hazardous smog, with public health at significant risk.
This environmental crisis underscores Vietnam’s broader challenges as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and a key manufacturing hub. The country has struggled with severe air pollution in major cities like Hanoi for years with conditions typically worsening during the winter months.
