How bad is Hanoi air pollution?

IQAir AirVisual, a Switzerland-based air quality monitoring facility that generates data from public, ground-based and real-time monitoring stations, recorded Hanoi’s AQI level at 152 on Wednesday morning, making it the seventh most polluted city in the world. It used data from three monitoring stations in the city.

Why did Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam?

The region around present-day Hanoi was settled in prehistoric times, and the location was often chosen as a political centre by Chinese conquerors. In 1010 Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the Ly dynasty (1009–1225) of Vietnam, chose the site of Hanoi—then called Thang Long (“Rising Dragon”)—for his capital.

Why is the air so bad in Hanoi?

Air pollution is not new in Hanoi, but remains as pressing an issue as ever. The municipal authorities have blamed the low air quality on large-scale construction, large number of private vehicles, intensive industrial activity like steel and cement production, and coal-fired power plants.

Why is Vietnam so polluted?

Among the main causes of this pollution is transportation. Vietnam now has 3.6 million automobiles and 58 million motorbikes, mostly concentrated in big cities. Many of them are old vehicles, with limited emission control technology. They cause daily traffic jams and emit a large amount of air pollutants.

How bad is pollution in Vietnam?

How bad is the air pollution in Vietnam? Vietnam is suffering from some of the worst air pollution recorded. From 2017 to 2018, the annual average concentration of PM2. 5 (fine particulate matter) within Ho Chi Minh City rose from 23.6 to 26.9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).

Is Vietnam very polluted?

Vietnam is struggling with alarming air pollution. Its two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are now among the top 15 polluted cities in Southeast Asia. Fine particulate matter (PM2. 5) is the most concerning air pollutant in Vietnam.

What city has the worst air quality?

Pollution level rankings 2019

Was Saigon the capital of Vietnam?

The cultural and political life of Saigon, which became the capital of South Vietnam, was enriched and complicated by an influx of refugees from North Vietnam. During the Second Indochina War (or Vietnam War) in the 1960s and early ’70s, Saigon was the headquarters of U.S. military operations.

Is Hanoi polluted?

Hanoi ranked 150th in the list of world’s most polluted cities and was the sixth most polluted city in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern metropolis, ranked 609 in the cities list. HCMC has its seen air quality improve over the past year, with the average PM2.

How bad is the air quality in Hanoi in 2021?

A man fishes at West Lake as dense smog descends on Hanoi in January 2021. The Vietnamese capital’s air quality has been ranked among the worst in the world. Photo: Sen Nguyen capital. She is one of thousands of vendors selling food and drinks who make up Hanoi’s bustling street life. But this constant exposure to the fumes comes at a cost.

When did Hanoi become the capital of North Vietnam?

However, the French returned and reoccupied the city in 1946. After nine years of fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces, Hanoi became the capital of an independent North Vietnam in 1954. During the Vietnam War, Hanoi’s transportation facilities were disrupted by the bombing of bridges and railways.

What is the population of Hanoi in Vietnam?

The metropolitan area, encompassing nine additional neighbouring provinces, has an estimated population of 16 million. Located in the central area of the Red River Delta, Hanoi is the commercial, cultural, and educational centre of Northern Vietnam.

What happened to Hanoi during the Vietnam War?

During two wars. During the Vietnam War, Hanoi’s transportation facilities were disrupted by the bombing of bridges and railways. These were all, however, promptly repaired. Following the end of the war, Hanoi became the capital of a reunified Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on 2 July 1976.