Big cities like Hanoi and HCM City and localities home to many industrial production activities such as Viet Tri still face high air pollution.

 

Air pollution in Hanoi 

The Vietnamese Natural Resources and Environment recently published a national environmental report for the 2011-2015 period.

According to the report, air pollution in big cities, including Hanoi and HCM City remains high, particularly areas near main roads or construction sites. Localities which have many industrial production activities like Phu Tho Province's Viet Tri City also face serious air pollution.

Dust and exhaust fumes from vehicles are the major causes of the high air pollution in big cities. Meanwhile, many private vehicles, especially buses, are aging and emit high levels of exhaust fumes.

At many intersections, such as Kim Lien, Giai Phong, Ha Dong, Nguyen Xien roads, Phung Hung, De La Thanh streets in Hanoi, dust levels are often 5 to 7 times higher than permitted levels. Meanwhile, 89% of air samples checked in HCM City do not meet current safety criteria.

The same situation is also reported at the capital city's crowded residential areas where many households still use coal for cooking.

Hanoi is a rapidly growing city with more than 1,000 construction projects presently underway. Metro projects are being carried out in Hanoi, which have also contributed to more serious air pollution as well as traffic congestion.

Experts warned that if the pressing problem is not properly grasped and addressed, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City might become as polluted as Beijing in the not-too-distant future.

Dtinews