Authorities are tightening dust controls and coordinating with five neighboring provinces to tackle the problem.

Speaking at a November 10 seminar on air pollution in Hanoi, the city's response measures and the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, Le Thanh Thuy, deputy head of the Environmental Management Division under the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, said air quality typically deteriorates in the final months of the year and the beginning of the following year.

This period coincides with winter and spring weather conditions characterized by temperature inversions, weak winds and a low atmospheric mixing layer, which allow pollutants to accumulate near the ground.

Meanwhile, emissions from traffic, construction activities, road dust, industrial production and open-air waste burning continue to place considerable pressure on Hanoi's air quality.

Thuy said the city would intensify efforts to control dust at construction sites, particularly around entrances and exits, and strengthen inspections of vehicles transporting building materials.

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Participants discuss Hanoi's air pollution challenges and potential solutions at the seminar.

Authorities will also increase street sweeping, vacuum cleaning and road washing while cracking down on illegal burning of household waste and agricultural residues.

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Hoai Nam, deputy head of the Traffic Police Division under the Hanoi Police Department, said the capital is simultaneously implementing numerous major infrastructure projects.

These include Ring Roads 1, 2.5, 3.5 and 4, National Highway 6, Thang Long Boulevard and several bridges across the Red River.

The projects have led to a sharp increase in traffic, particularly trucks transporting construction materials such as sand, gravel and cement, raising the risk of environmental pollution.

On roads connecting construction sites and major gateways into the city, some trucks continue to transport materials without proper covers, spilling soil, stones and other debris onto the road.

Vehicles also carry mud and dirt from construction sites onto public roads. During dry weather, these materials become airborne dust, directly affecting the environment and residents' health.

Traffic police have penalized more than 17,000 violations involving freight transportation.

Of these, more than 3,000 cases involved construction materials spilling onto roads, while over 8,000 involved oversized or overloaded vehicles.

Hanoi's low-emission zone pilot shows early signs of progress

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Hanoi's numerous large-scale infrastructure projects have led to a sharp increase in traffic, adding pressure to the city's air quality. Illustrative photo: Dinh Hieu

Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, Thuy said years of monitoring had shown that Hanoi's air pollution becomes particularly difficult to manage during the final months of the year and the beginning of the next.

She emphasized that air pollution is a regional and transboundary issue that cannot be addressed by a single city acting alone.

In June, the Hanoi People's Committee signed a cooperation agreement with five other provinces in the Capital Region, establishing mechanisms for interagency and interprovincial coordination on air pollution control.

Hanoi's environmental authorities have since drafted a joint response procedure outlining pollution thresholds, response scenarios, and an early warning and forecasting system to be coordinated with the five provinces.

The capital also launched a low-emission zone pilot on July 1.

Assessing its effectiveness after three months, Thuy said the initial phase, running from July through the end of 2026, focuses primarily on public awareness and encouraging behavioral changes.

The aim is to help residents develop habits that favor environmentally friendly transportation, both within the designated low-emission zone and across the city, particularly in areas surrounding Ring Road 1.

According to Thuy, early progress has been most visible in public communication and awareness campaigns in pilot areas, including Hoan Kiem Ward.

Residents have gained a clearer understanding of the low-emission zone concept and have become more willing to cooperate with local authorities in adopting cleaner transport options.

However, she stressed that lasting improvements would require coordinated investment in infrastructure and transport systems, alongside changes in commuting habits.

Thuy expressed hope that the pilot would undergo a comprehensive evaluation, providing a basis for expanding low-emission zones in the coming years in accordance with the roadmap approved by the Hanoi People's Committee and People's Council.

Thanh Hue