The Urgent Call to Address Hanoi’s Air Pollution Crisis
"The situation is urgent," declared Muthukumara Mani, a lead environmental economist at the World Bank based in Hanoi. Air pollution in Vietnam, particularly in its capital city, has reached a critical point, prompting even state-run media to break its long silence on the issue. Once reluctant to discuss the severity of air quality, VietnamNet, the official news site of the Ministry of Information and Communications, published a rare and urgent call to action in January. The outlet described air pollution as "a crisis demanding immediate attention." This shift in rhetoric reflects a growing recognition of the problem, not just among environmentalists but also at the highest levels of government.
Despite the mounting urgency, authorities have been tight-lipped about their plans to tackle the crisis. AFP reached out for comments but was met with silence. However, Mani revealed that there is acknowledgment of the issue "at the highest level in the country." He pointed to a recent trip by senior Hanoi officials to China, where they sought to learn from Beijing’s efforts to address its notoriously poor air quality. This visit suggests that the government is exploring ways to replicate China’s progress, but it remains unclear whether these lessons will translate into actionable policies for Vietnam.
A Heavy Toll on Everyday Life
For many residents of Hanoi, the deteriorating air quality has become a daily struggle. Tran Thi Chi, a 54-year-old woman who lived in the city center for over a decade, described her experience as nothing short of suffocating. "The air in Hanoi had become so thick that I felt like I didn’t have oxygen to breathe," she said. Desperate for relief, Chi made the difficult decision to move out of her beloved city center home. She was also one of the first among her friends to purchase an air purifier, a luxury that remains out of reach for millions of others.
While Chi’s story highlights the personal toll of air pollution, it also underscores the broader societal impact. For many, relocation or expensive solutions like air purifiers are not feasible. This has left countless individuals exposes to noxious air, with little choice but to endure the harmful effects on their health and wellbeing. Environmental activists have stepped in to advocate for faster and more decisive action, but their efforts have been met with repression.
Environmental Activism Under Threat
Nguy Thi Khanh, the founder of GreenID, one of Vietnam’s most prominent environmental organizations, was once a vocal critic of the government’s reliance on coal power to fuel economic development. Khanh argued that increasing coal dependence would only exacerbate air pollution and undermine efforts to address climate change. However, her advocacy came at a steep cost. In 2022, she was jailed, becoming one of several environmentalists imprisoned between 2022 and 2023. Four other activists faced similar fates, as the government cracked down on dissent.
The imprisonment of these activists has had a chilling effect on environmental advocacy in Vietnam. Ben Swanton of The 88 Project, an organization that campaigns for freedom of expression in Vietnam, explained that the repression has made it "virtually impossible for people to advocate for the government to address the problem of air pollution." This silencing of voices has dealt a significant blow to efforts to hold the government accountable for improving air quality.
The Paradox of Vietnam’s Climate Commitments
Vietnam has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a commitment that, if upheld, could significantly improve air quality. However, the country’s current actions tell a different story. Government statistics reveal that coal imports rose by 25 percent last year compared to 2023, indicating a continued reliance on fossil fuels. This contradiction between long-term climate goals and short-term energy policies raises questions about whether Vietnam is truly prepared to address the root causes of its air pollution crisis.
The increase in coal imports suggests that economic development remains the government’s top priority, with environmental concerns taking a backseat. While coal is seen as a quick and affordable way to meet growing energy demands, it comes at a significant cost to public health and environmental sustainability.
A Call for Immediate and Realistic Solutions
For citizens like Tran Thi Chi, the situation is too dire to wait for long-term solutions. "We need urgent, realistic measures from authorities," she urged. "We have no time to wait around." Her plea reflects the frustration and anxiety shared by many in Hanoi, who are desperate for actionable steps to clean up the air they breathe.
Professor Bob Baulch of RMIT University Vietnam echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Vietnam often prioritizes setting targets over delivering real results. While the government has proposed initiatives such as low-emission zones and an action plan aiming for "moderate" or better air quality on 75 percent of days annually, there is little clarity on whether these plans will be enforced. Without tangible progress, the promises risk being just that—promises.
Conclusion
The air pollution crisis in Hanoi is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. While there are signs of recognition at the highest levels of government, the gap between rhetoric and reality remains wide. Activists and citizens are sounding the alarm, but their voices are being stifled. Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 is commendable, but the continued reliance on coal and the lack of concrete measures to address air pollution raise serious concerns about the country’s ability to meet its environmental goals.
For people like Tran Thi Chi, the stakes could not be higher. Every day spent breathing polluted air brings real health risks and diminishes the quality of life for millions. The time for action is now. Vietnam’s government must move beyond promises and targets to implement meaningful and enforceable policies that prioritize the health of its people and the planet. Only then can Hanoi hope to reclaim its air and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
