Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City in Top 10 for Air Pollution

By 9 a.m., a pervasive milky white ambiance enveloped both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, resembling fog yet indicative of a dry haze phenomenon attributed to air pollution. 

This prevalent occurrence typically manifests at the onset of the dry season when the absence of rain allows fine dust to amalgamate with water vapor, persisting in the air throughout the day. The resultant escalation in air pollution levels poses substantial health risks, with real-time mapping diligently monitoring the severity of the situation.

According to data from IQAir, at 8 a.m. in Hanoi, the fine dust concentration soared to 176 µm/m³, securing the city the 6th position globally in terms of air pollution. Simultaneously, Ho Chi Minh City claimed the 10th spot, recording a concentration of 164 µm/m³. Notably, today signifies the peak pollution level of the week for Hanoi, with levels anticipated to gradually decrease over the ensuing three days. Ho Chi Minh City, while exhibiting a somewhat subdued intensity, designated today as a red air quality day, poised to revert to yellow in the subsequent days.

The persistent challenge of air pollution in both metropolises emanates from congested traffic, where millions of antiquated vehicles inundate the streets daily, exacerbating emission issues. Concurrently, industrial activities, ongoing construction projects, and routine daily practices contribute significantly to the prevailing air quality concerns. Disturbingly, the annual PM2.5 fine dust pollution levels in both cities exceed double the recommended standards established by the World Health Organization, underscoring the urgency of concerted efforts to address the root causes and mitigate the profound impact on public health and environmental sustainability.

Source: VIETNAM.VN - This morning, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both entered the top 10 in terms of air pollution