Hanoi’s air quality is deteriorating, marked by elevated levels of fine dust particles, exceeding normal standards on multiple occasions.

The Hanoi People’s Committee is soliciting feedback on air quality management until 2030, with a vision extending to 2035, aiming to address the widespread decline in air quality across the capital.

Referring to national environmental reports, Hanoi authorities revealed that the average PM2.5 level in the air from 2018 to 2020 doubled the national standard (25 μg/m3). They noted that 30.5% of days in 2019 recorded poor air quality levels.

In recent months, Hanoi has experienced frequent haze during mornings and evenings, with air quality reaching unhealthy and hazardous levels.

Data from Swiss air quality technology company IQAir indicated that Hanoi’s pollution levels were classified as “very unhealthy” on Monday and Tuesday mornings, with PM2.5 levels ranging from 150.5 to 250.4 μg/m3. Although air quality improved in the afternoon, it still posed health risks to the public.

Reports highlighted significant variations in yearly average PM2.5 levels among Hanoi’s districts and towns, with higher dust levels observed in downtown areas and lower levels in suburban areas, except for Gia Lam, Dong Anh, and Thanh Tri districts.

PM2.5 levels soar during winter due to unstable weather patterns hindering pollutant dispersion. Conversely, summer typically sees better air quality due to rainfall washing away pollutants and sea winds dispersing pollutants elsewhere.

Despite not fully identifying all sources of air pollutants, research from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with the World Bank, indicated that road traffic vehicles and road dust are the primary sources of PM2.5 and PM10 dust. Traffic-related sources account for 66.3% of PM2.5 pollutants and 54% of PM10 pollutants.

Burning of crop residues and industrial activities serve as the second-largest sources of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants.