The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, with a population of about 9 million people, has taken the first place in the anti-rating of the world’s cities with the worst air pollution.
According to the monitoring data of the international air quality assessment service IQAir, the concentration of PM 2.5 micro-dust in the air of the Vietnamese metropolis more than 24 times exceeded the level of safe recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2024. According to the WHO, PM 2.5 particles are linked to the occurrence of cancer, strokes and other diseases.
In recent years, Hanoi has often been listed as one of the world’s most polluted cities due to large-scale construction and vehicle emissions.
Emissions from coal-fired power plants and the burning of agricultural waste add to the problem.
Earlier in February, Hanoi residents were advised to wear masks and limit outdoor activities.
