why is hanoi so polluted, How is the air quality in Hanoi, Vietnam?

Why is the air quality in Hanoi, Vietnam so bad?

Hanoi, being the capital city of Vietnam, is extremely polluted due to several factors:

1. Rapid Urbanization: The city has mushroomed with a growing population reflected in the sprouting of shops and housing, needing transport and infrastructure, often developing at a speed faster than what proper planning and environmental considerations would permit. Coupled with this, there are far too few green spaces in our cities. Consequently, the waste management system has never been adequate.

2. Industrial Growth: Across Hanoi and greater areas, there have been serious industrial developments, especially in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. These industries can potentially release dangerous chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere, degrading the air quality.

3. Coalfired Power Plants: Although Vietnam is trying hard in diversifying its energy mechanism, coal continues to be a vital contributor to the generation of electricity. Since coal-fired power plants are very nearby, they contribute heavily to air pollution in Hanoi through the emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

4. Agricultural Burning: Seasonal air pollution from crop residue burning in the neighboring provinces provides smoke and particulate matter that can travel great distances to cover Hanoi, and often by wind patterns.

5. Lack of Environmental Regulations and Enforcement: Sometime industries and individuals do not properly take actions to control pollution due to under- or poorly enforced regulations.

6. Poor Waste Management: Such as in inefficient waste disposal or recycling, there can be open dumping and incineration, manifesting toxic fumes that consequently pollute the soil and water.

7. Natural Factors: The soil of Hanoi and the climate conditions can indeed be taken into account with regards to pollution level.A case to cite is Temperature Inversion that can happen during winter months whereby some pollutants get trapped close to the surface of the earth forming what is called the Inversion Layer, making the air pollution worse.

The Vietnamese government is taking several approaches either by issuing tougher emission standards, enhancing public transport, or investing in renewable energy resources. However, it will take a long time and indefinite demand on it in order to have a visible development in Hanoi air pollution.