July 22, 2025<\/p>\n
HANOI<\/strong> \u2013 H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i is stepping up efforts to combat its deepening air pollution crisis with an ambitious clean transition plan that includes phasing out vehicles powered by fossil fuel, revitalising polluted waterways and transforming public transportation systems by the end of this decade.<\/p>\n City officials say the environmental situation has become \u201ccritical\u201d, with levels of fine dust and harmful pollutants frequently spiking into hazardous zones. Much of the pollution stems from a dense fleet of ageing motorbikes, road dust, industrial activity and changing climate conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cAir quality in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i has shown serious deterioration over many years, especially during the winter from October to April,\u201d said Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network Ho\u00e0ng D\u01b0\u01a1ng T\u00f9ng.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not only severe, but is becoming worse each year. The trend is clearly upward, not downward.\u201d<\/p>\n T\u00f9ng said data collected over time shows that many days are marked by air quality index (AQI) readings in the red, purple or even brown zones. He said that pollution in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i is \u201ca pressing issue\u201d and that bold, timely actions are needed.<\/p>\n According to H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i\u2019s Department of Agriculture and Environment, 56.1 per cent of the city\u2019s air pollution originates from approximately seven million motorbikes and another 800,000 petrol and diesel-powered cars.<\/p>\n Fine dust from tire friction, industrial emissions, construction activity and domestic fuel usage further worsen the situation.<\/p>\n In response, Prime Minister Ph\u1ea1m Minh Ch\u00ednh issued Directive 20 on July 12, ordering all relevant ministries and localities to take urgent, decisive action to reduce environmental pollution.<\/p>\n H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i is taking centre stage in this effort, given its alarming pollution levels and role as the country\u2019s political and economic hub.<\/p>\n \u201cThe environmental pollution situation in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i has become extremely urgent,\u201d said D\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0110\u1ee9c Tu\u1ea5n, deputy chairman of the H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i People\u2019s Committee.<\/p>\n \u201cIt poses a direct threat to the environment, to the quality of life and the health of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i currently has over eight million vehicles circulating on its roads. In the historic inner city within Ring Road 1, 450,000 motorbikes serve just 600,000 residents, creating overwhelming pressure on air quality.<\/p>\n Tu\u1ea5n cited transport as one of the largest contributors to air pollution.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to central and city-level assessments, one of the main causes of air pollution is transportation, especially as our infrastructure still relies heavily on fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Tu\u1ea5n confirmed that H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i\u2019s implementation plan, developed in accordance with Directive 20, includes phasing out all fossil-fuel motorbikes from within Ring Road 1 by July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n By 2028, the ban will expand to include all motorcycles within Ring Road 1 and 2, while restrictions on petrol-powered cars will also be introduced. The target for 2030 is to extend the low-emission zone to Ring Road 3.<\/p>\n As part of this transition, the city is rolling out clean energy infrastructure, including a new network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.<\/p>\n Public buses are also being converted to electric power. Of the 45 bus routes currently operating within Ring Road 1, 11 already use electric buses. By 2030, all public buses in the capital are expected to run on electricity.<\/p>\n Tu\u1ea5n said the city is also working to restructure its public transport network and promote green mobility options. He noted that only clean vehicles would be acceptable in the long term.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly clean vehicles can ensure low emissions,\u201d he said. \u201cTwo-stroke petrol-powered vehicles generate consequences for the environment \u2014 they are not efficient, not orderly and obviously harmful to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Public health impact<\/b><\/p>\n The health impacts of air pollution have become increasingly evident, especially among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and pregnant women. Exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 has been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular complications, neurological disorders and even skin and eye conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cPollution is having a profound impact on public health in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i,\u201d said Deputy Director of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0103n S\u01a1n.<\/p>\n \u201cPollution is also contributing to hospital overcrowding and a general decline in quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n He warned that prolonged exposure to pollutants can also damage the nervous system, accelerate ageing of the skin and lead to chronic infections and auto-immune conditions.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been assigned to oversee the national coordination of Directive 20.<\/p>\n According to Director General of the Department of Environment Ho\u00e0ng V\u0103n Th\u1ee9c, the directive outlines four key task groups for the ministry: policy reform, emissions standards, infrastructure investment and public monitoring systems.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of our key priorities is to issue technical standards for motorbike emissions,\u201d Th\u1ee9c said. \u201cFrom July 1, 2027, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i must start mandatory emissions testing for motorbikes.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the ministry is reviewing all previous Government decisions, such as the national air quality management plan for 2021\u20132025, to identify which tasks are behind schedule and why.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must pinpoint whether delays are due to limited resources or inadequate policy mechanisms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The ministry is also developing a national air quality bulletin system to inform the public. \u201cWe\u2019re working on daily forecasts, similar to weather reports, so that people can plan their routines and protect their health,\u201d Th\u1ee9c added.<\/p>\n Lessons learn<\/b><\/p>\n T\u00f9ng from the Vietnam Clean Air Network said H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i could learn from successful models overseas.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than ten years ago, Beijing was one of the most polluted cities in the world,\u201d he said. \u201cBut they made a great effort. Within just one or two years, they converted their entire bus fleet to electric vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n He argued that data clearly shows emissions from motorcycles are a major source of pollution, and said it was no longer necessary to debate whether they were the main cause. What is needed now, he stated, are extremely decisive actions, exactly as outlined in Directive 20.<\/p>\n T\u00f9ng also welcomed the swift response by city leaders, noting that he is pleased H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i has promptly established advisory and steering committees. He said such measures are timely and demonstrate the city\u2019s determination to act.<\/p>\n He also noted that public support remains strong.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople generally support these policies because they will bring better health to every family,\u201d he said. \u201cBut they also hope to see support mechanisms, EV charging networks and public transport options announced promptly.\u201d<\/p>\n S\u01a1n from the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health echoed that view, stressing the role of individual awareness. \u201cPeople should check the air quality index regularly and wear proper masks during polluted periods,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that high-risk groups, such as the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses, should undergo routine medical checks and stay away from areas with heavy pollution.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil broader solutions are fully implemented, personal precautions remain essential,\u201d S\u01a1n said.<\/p>\n Tu\u1ea5n concluded that success would depend on social consensus.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Government, citizens and businesses all need to work together to ensure balanced interests,\u201d he said. \u201cControlling pollution and improving quality of life is something we must accomplish \u2014 the only question is how quickly we can make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n With firm policy milestones, unified leadership and rising public awareness, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i now finds itself at a turning point.<\/p>\n Its ability to implement Directive 20 effectively could determine whether the capital becomes a leader in green urban transformation or continues to struggle under the weight of its pollution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"July 22, 2025 HANOI \u2013 H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i is stepping up efforts to combat its deepening air pollution crisis…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":82450,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[746,3587,159,1194,67,132,68,56260,15336],"class_list":{"0":"post-82449","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-environment","9":"tag-policy-matters","10":"tag-science","11":"tag-society","12":"tag-united-states","13":"tag-unitedstates","14":"tag-us","15":"tag-viet-nam-news","16":"tag-vietnam"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114895403368406985","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82449"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82449\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}