At the roundtable event “Joining hands to protect our blue sky: Challenges and solutions” held on September 10, Le Thai Ha, Executive Director of the Fund for a Green Future, cited international reports showing that Vietnam now ranks 22nd–23rd among the most polluted countries in the world and is the second most polluted in ASEAN.

In 2023, the average concentration of PM2.5 fine particulate matter in Vietnam was nearly six times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.

"Alarmingly, Hanoi only recorded one day of moderate air quality throughout the entire year and zero days of good air quality," said Ha. These figures go beyond statistics and have direct consequences on public health, with air pollution estimated to cause around 60,000 premature deaths in Vietnam annually.

Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network, also issued warnings about hazardous PM2.5 levels in central areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which have been on the rise in recent years.

According to Tung, primary contributors include fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, construction and infrastructure development, industrial activities lacking emission treatment systems, open burning of waste and agricultural byproducts.

“We are both victims and perpetrators of air pollution,” he emphasized, pointing out that Hanoi alone has nearly 7 million mobile emission sources – primarily motorcycle exhaust pipes.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, referred to a 2022 World Bank report projecting that transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam could grow by 6–7% annually and reach nearly 90 million tons of CO2 by 2030 - equivalent to 80% of the energy sector’s emissions in 2018.

He noted that road transport will remain the dominant source, contributing 80.2% of total transport emissions, with trucks and motorcycles accounting for the bulk of freight and passenger transport respectively.

The transportation sector is expected to remain heavily dependent on imported fuel, with demand rising threefold compared to 2014, reaching 11.7 million tons of gasoline and 14.8 million tons of diesel by 2030.

“Traffic congestion and air pollution will become more severe in most Vietnamese cities,” he cautioned.

A massive financial commitment is required

To meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and reduce emissions unconditionally, Vietnam will need USD21.74 billion. To implement conditional measures, it will require USD86.83 billion.

“If no strong management solutions are implemented, by 2030 nearly 85% of the population in northern Vietnam could be living in air that does not meet health standards,” warned Tho.

To ensure clean air, Dr. Hoang Duong Tung stressed that digital transformation must lead to green transition, affirming every citizen’s right to breathe clean air. However, there’s no "magic wand" - multiple, combined solutions are necessary.

Alongside national action plans and a green growth strategy that does not sacrifice the environment for economic gain, Tung emphasized the need to study international practices such as vehicle electrification, low-emission zones, public transport, fuel switching, advanced emission control technologies, and carbon credit systems.

Nguyen Thi Thien Phuong, Deputy Director of the Environmental Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, shared that the agency is working with Hanoi and nearby provinces to install at least 50 new air monitoring systems using sensors, with potential expansion to 125 units.

These devices will increase monitoring density and provide detailed data to help identify pollution "hotspots."

In addition, the National Remote Sensing Department will coordinate with the Environmental Department to deploy drones to detect the burning of rice straw, agricultural waste, and dust from large construction sites.

Authorities will also enhance inspection and enforcement against violators - whether cargo transporters, industrial polluters, or those illegally burning waste and agricultural byproducts.

According to the Environment Department, experience from countries such as China shows that pollution cannot be solved by one sector or locality alone. Political will and national coordination are essential. It is not a five-year fix but a 10–20 year journey to address root causes at the emission source level.

“We need strong, sustained investment to shift from rapid to sustainable green growth - starting with infrastructure, technology, and public awareness,” Phuong said.

Tam An