HANOI, Jan,4 – Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has been engulfed in thick smog in recent weeks, placing it at the top of global air pollution rankings. In response, the government has announced plans to promote electric vehicles (EVs) as a solution to the city’s worsening air quality.
On Friday morning, the levels of harmful small particles, known as PM2.5, reached 266 micrograms per cubic meter in Hanoi, making it the most polluted city worldwide, according to AirVisual, an independent global air pollution monitoring service.
As one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and a key regional manufacturing hub, Vietnam has been grappling with severe air pollution in its major cities, particularly in Hanoi. The smog is primarily caused by heavy traffic, burning of waste, and industrial activities.
Luu Minh Duc, a 64-year-old resident, expressed concern over the worsening air quality, noting that it has led to respiratory issues for many elderly residents. “We can feel it very clearly when we suffer from breathing difficulties,” Duc said.
Young people are also affected. Nguyen Ninh Huong, a 21-year-old student, initially mistook the haze for fog but soon realized it was fine dust that impaired visibility and posed health risks. “It feels unhealthy to breathe,” Huong said.
During a meeting with the transport ministry on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called for an accelerated shift to electric vehicles to help reduce pollution. He highlighted the urgency of taking action, saying that this is “the responsibility of the state to the people,” as reported by state media.
Hanoi has set a target to have at least 50% of buses and 100% of taxis converted to EVs by 2030.
The ministries of natural resources, environment, and health did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comments on the issue.
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