Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City ordered to reduce air pollution to safe thresholds within 5 years

This directive is part of the broader measures outlined by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to tackle the severe pollution problem, particularly in major cities.

The Government Office has issued the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Ha at a recent meeting on urgent and comprehensive solutions for addressing environmental pollution in major cities.

The conclusion emphasized that managing air quality is an interdisciplinary issue, requiring coordinated leadership and synchronized implementation across various sectors.

Air pollution continues to worsen in many localities across Vietnam, particularly in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, affecting not only public health but also socio-economic development.

The primary causes of air pollution are dust, exhaust emissions from vehicles, and pollutants from industrial, construction, and agricultural activities.

What has exacerbated air pollution is the lack of synchronized implementation of laws and programs designed to monitor and control it.

Apart from the directive issued for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the government tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with guiding local authorities to immediately carry out inspections and identify sources of airborne pollutants.

The Ministry of Construction is responsible for urgently reviewing and researching the development of national technical standards for managing, treating, and recycling construction waste materials, which can be repurposed for other uses.

Besides, to address air pollution, local authorities were urged to focus on identifying air pollution sources and establishing comprehensive databases that connect to the air quality data system of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Additionally, cities and provinces were required to invest in automatic air monitoring stations and implement stricter management of waste and emissions from construction, transportation, and industrial activities.

There will also be a push for increased inspections and enforcement of environmental protection laws.