Hanoi Tops Global Pollution Rankings as Toxic Smog Engulfs City

Vietnam's capital faces severe air quality crisis with PM2.5 levels far exceeding WHO safety limits, prompting government plans to accelerate electric vehicle adoption.

• 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.

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The Independent