According to monitoring data recorded at 9:00 am, an air quality station operated by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on Giai Phong Street reported air quality at the ‘very poor’ level, corresponding to a purple alert.

At this level of pollution, authorities recommend that residents minimize outdoor activities. Those who must go outside are advised to wear certified protective face masks to reduce health risks.

Another monitoring station at Nhan Chinh Park - Khuat Duy Tien Street also recorded poor air quality, classified as a red alert.

Several northern provinces surrounding Hanoi, including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Thai Nguyen, were also reported to have unhealthy air quality levels.

Despite lighter traffic compared with weekdays and rain across much of the city, pollution levels remained high, affecting daily life and outdoor workers in particular.

Chu Thi Thanh Huyen, a 37-year-old sanitation worker, said her work begins in the early hours of the morning and becomes especially difficult on heavily polluted days.

“Working outdoors during air pollution peaks often makes it hard to breathe. I always wear a mask, and when I feel exhausted, I have to take short breaks to recover,” she said.

Similarly, Hoang Kim Thu, a 21-year-old ride-hailing motorbike driver from Ninh Binh Province who works part-time while studying at university, said he has adjusted his schedule due to air pollution.

“In recent days, air pollution has been very severe early in the morning, so I avoid taking passengers until around 7:00 am,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a national action plan on air pollution control and air quality management for 2026-30, with a vision to 2045.

Under the plan, Hanoi aims to reduce PM2.5 concentrations by 20 percent by 2030 compared to the 2024 annual average.

By 2045, air quality in Hanoi and other provinces is expected to meet national air quality standards and remain at healthy levels nationwide.

To achieve these goals, the government has outlined measures including strengthening legal frameworks, controlling emission sources, improving air quality monitoring systems, and enhancing enforcement capacity.