Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis that has left its nine million residents struggling to breathe and see through thick smog. Despite being ranked among the world’s most polluted cities in recent months, the government appears slow to act, putting public health at risk.
Alarming Air Quality Levels
In the past three months, Hanoi has consistently topped lists of major cities suffering from poor air quality, according to IQAir, a Swiss company known for monitoring global air pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the city’s toxic air contributes to approximately 70,000 deaths annually due to related health issues such as strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, the World Bank has reported that air pollution costs Vietnam over $13 billion every year—nearly three percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Local resident Le Thi Huyen reflects the plight of many as she manages a burning pile of plastic bags and leaves on her farm. “I’ve never heard of the ban [on burning waste],” Huyen said, referring to a nationwide prohibition that came into effect in 2022. “If we don’t burn, what should we do with it?”
The pungent smell of smoke and burning plastic has become a constant presence in many districts of Hanoi, underscoring the persistent environmental challenges faced by the city.
Contributing Factors to Pollution
Vietnam’s rapid economic growth has come at a significant environmental cost. The country’s reliance on coal power plants, an increasing number of factories, high usage of petrol motorbikes, and ongoing construction projects all exacerbate the air quality crisis. While Hanoi’s geography also plays a role—trapping pollutants and smog—the situation remains starkly different from other Asian cities like Delhi or Bangkok, where authorities often take more decisive actions during pollution spikes.
Schools in Hanoi remain open, and there is no widespread work-from-home policy in response to the hazardous air quality. Meanwhile, the government has faced criticism for maintaining close ties with powerful economic interests, leading to a lack of accountability and transparency regarding air pollution initiatives.
Calls for Action and Government Response
Despite the critical state of air quality, effective measures to address the issue have been slow to materialize. Analysts have noted that while officials have acknowledged the problem, implementation of proposed solutions remains unclear. For instance, Hanoi has discussed establishing low-emission zones and hopes to achieve moderate air quality on 75 percent of days each year; however, it remains uncertain whether these plans will come to fruition.
Muthukumara Mani, the World Bank lead environmental economist based in Hanoi, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The situation is urgent.” Even the state media, which had previously remained largely silent on environmental issues, began to voice concerns about air quality, with publications warning that pollution is reaching crisis levels.
Environmental Activism Facing Repression
Many residents, including Tran Thi Chi, have taken personal steps to cope with worsening air quality. After years of breathing difficulties, Chi relocated from her city center home and invested in an air purifier. However, millions remain unable to make such changes, prompting calls for more immediate government action.
Environmental activists in Vietnam have increasingly found themselves under fire for pushing for better air quality standards. Nguy Thi Khanh, founder of GreenID, a prominent environmental organization, was imprisoned in 2022 after opposing the government’s plans to expand coal power. Four other activists faced similar fates between 2022 and 2023, creating a chilling atmosphere for those advocating for change.
Ben Swanton of The 88 Project, which monitors freedom of expression in Vietnam, stated that this repression hinders efforts to hold the government accountable for pollution management. “This repression has had a chilling effect that has made it virtually impossible for people to advocate for the government to address the problem of air pollution,” he explained.
While Vietnam has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, statistics reveal a worrying trend: coal imports rose by 25 percent last year alone. This raises questions about the sincerity of the government’s commitments to improving air quality.
Residents Demand Faster Solutions
As conditions worsen, residents are growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of actionable steps from authorities. Tran Thi Chi expressed her deep concern for the city she loves, calling for “urgent, realistic measures from authorities.” She added, “We have no time to wait around.”
With the stakes higher than ever, and public health hanging in the balance, the question remains: Will the Vietnamese government prioritize the urgent need for clean air, or will residents continue to suffer under a haze of pollution?
