Overview

• Hanoi recorded PM2.5 levels of 266 micrograms per cubic meter, over 15 times the World Health Organization's recommended maximum daily exposure.
• The city has been named the world's most polluted major city, with smog attributed to traffic emissions, industrial activity, trash burning, and coal plants.
• Residents report worsening respiratory issues and visibility problems, with many struggling to breathe and resorting to masks or alternative transportation.
• Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has called for urgent action, including transitioning 50% of buses and 100% of taxis to electric vehicles by 2030.
• Experts warn that current weather conditions trap pollutants, with significant improvement unlikely until heavy rains arrive in March.