Vietnamese City Air Quality Plummets to Unhealthy Levels

(MENAFN) Air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern hub, has surged dramatically, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 130—classified as unhealthy for sensitive populations, according to data released Thursday.

The Swiss firm IQAir identified vehicle emissions, notably from the city’s overwhelming motorcycle traffic, as the primary driver behind the persistent smog.

Additional contributors include industrial emissions, fossil fuel burning, cooking fumes, dust from construction sites, and pollutants from residential sources.

Compounding the issue, stagnant weather patterns have trapped contaminants near the surface, intensifying the city’s pollution burden.

Studies have also revealed elevated concentrations of hazardous chemical pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially in heavily trafficked streets and urban zones.

This sharp rise in air pollution has alarmed health experts, particularly concerning vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments. Authorities urge residents to reduce outdoor exposure, wear protective masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

By Thursday evening, forecasts indicated a potential improvement in air quality.

Nonetheless, experts emphasize that sustainable, long-term strategies are essential to tackle Ho Chi Minh City’s deep-rooted pollution challenges.

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