Pollution's Impact On Vietnam: Affected Areas And Concerns

Vietnam is one of the five countries that account for nearly 60% of the ocean's plastic pollution. It is also one of the world's five most vulnerable countries to climate change. The country's rapid growth and industrialization have negatively impacted the environment, with agriculture, transportation, and industrial production being significant contributors to pollution. Vietnam's two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are among the most polluted in Southeast Asia, with air pollution affecting the health and well-being of citizens and visitors alike.

Hanoi's air pollution

Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, is often labelled as the most polluted city in the country and the wider region. The air pollution in Hanoi is caused by a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, agricultural burning, construction activities, household pollution, and waste burning.

In addition to vehicle emissions, industrial emissions from factories, power plants, and processing units also contribute significantly to Hanoi's air pollution. These industries rely on fossil fuels and emit pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Agricultural burning, particularly the burning of crop residue and deforestation, is another major source of air pollution in Hanoi. The smoke and particulate matter released from these practices can travel to urban areas, exacerbating the city's air quality issues. Construction activities, household use of solid fuels, and waste burning also contribute to the poor air quality in Hanoi.

The impact of air pollution on the health of Hanoi's residents is significant. Fine particles in the polluted air can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. According to data from 2019, there were approximately 60,000 deaths attributable to air pollution in Hanoi each year. The air pollution in Hanoi also has economic impacts, with Vietnam losing about 3.2% of its GDP annually due to the health effects of air pollution.

To address the air pollution issue, the Vietnamese government has introduced policies such as stricter vehicle emission standards and initiatives to shift towards cleaner energy sources. However, the effectiveness of these policies has been challenged by enforcement issues and the need for a more integrated approach to economic development, urban planning, and environmental sustainability.

Ho Chi Minh City's air pollution

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city, is classed as a moderately polluted city in South East Asia. From 2017 to 2018, the PM2.5 level rose from 23.6 to 26.9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). These levels are more than double those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an annual guideline.

The main cause of air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City is the transportation system. The city's streets are clogged daily by millions of cars and motorbikes, many of which are old and do not comply with emission standards. The public transportation system also operates old vehicles that belch out thick black smoke. Another factor contributing to the poor air quality is the significant amount of construction taking place, which generates dust and cement powder. Many households and restaurants also use charcoal cooking stoves, which are cheap to operate.

The effects of this polluted air have been detrimental to the people of Ho Chi Minh City. In September 2019, the Saigon General Hospital reported a 5-10% increase in admissions on days with noticeably higher levels of PM2.5 particulates. In 2016, air pollution was attributed to causing over 60,000 deaths throughout Vietnam, including from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary heart disease.

To reduce air pollution, Vietnam's government has identified several short-term solutions, including tighter regulations on vehicle emissions and improved traffic control systems. Construction sites have also been urged to take more responsibility for controlling dust and other pollutants. Additionally, clean and sustainable energy sources need to be made more accessible to households to reduce the burning of biomass products.

Urban planning should also be considered when addressing Ho Chi Minh City's air pollution. Relocating densely populated government-controlled facilities, such as hospitals, government departments, universities, and schools, to the edge of the city would create green spaces and provide respite from the dirty air. Encouraging private industries to move to industrial parks outside the city limits would also help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Water pollution

The lack of physical infrastructure and financial capacity has led to low utilisation of water resources and uneven distribution of rainfall, resulting in water shortages throughout the country. Vietnam's geography and topography also make the country susceptible to natural disasters such as typhoons, storms, floods, and droughts, which further contribute to water pollution and waterborne diseases.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment states that almost 80% of diseases in Vietnam are caused by polluted water, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and malaria. Water pollution is a significant contributor to the country's public health issues.

Agricultural activities have the largest burden on water resources in Vietnam, with over 80% of water used for agricultural purposes. As one of the world's richest agricultural regions and a top producer and consumer of rice, the demand for water in this sector is high. Fisheries, aquaculture, industries, and services also contribute to the increasing water demand.

The World Bank has been working with the Vietnamese government to improve access to clean water and sanitation. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, and innovative solutions and strong partnerships are needed to address the issue effectively. Vietnam is taking steps towards improving water security, focusing on integrated water resources management and improving water services in both urban and rural areas.

Solid waste/municipal waste

Solid waste generation in Vietnam is growing at the same pace as its urbanizing population and economy. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE), most of the country's solid waste (73.5%) is deposited in open dump sites. Over 23 million tons of household waste and seven million tons of industrial solid waste are discharged into the environment each day in Vietnam. There are currently 458 dump sites, 337 of which do not meet sanitation standards.

The current common practice of solid waste management in Ho Chi Minh City is landfilling. About 86% of the total solid waste was landfilled at two major landfill sites, and the rest was recycled. Paper, plastic, and metals were the major waste being recycled.

The land in every city in the country is now seriously polluted by waste generated from industrial projects, construction projects, and household activities. However, soil rehabilitation has not been performed for such seriously polluted land. State authorities do not have sufficient technology or experts to analyze pollution levels.

In recent years, the awareness of soil contamination has gradually increased among Vietnamese people. A growing number of farmers are starting to use microbial fertilizers made from agricultural wastes, instead of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, to avoid soil pollution. The farmers are calling on the government to introduce regulations that limit the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and more comprehensive and stringent measures against soil pollution.

Industrial air pollution

Vietnam's rapid industrialization has negatively impacted the environment and natural resources. Industrial emissions, alongside vehicular pollution, agricultural burning, and construction activities, are the primary sources of air pollution in the country.

The Vietnamese government has acknowledged the escalating air pollution problem and has introduced initiatives to tackle it. The National Action Plan on Air Quality Management, approved by the Prime Minister in 2016, aims to manage and minimize air pollution. This plan includes stricter regulations on vehicle emission standards, better traffic control, dust management measures, and enhanced monitoring of industrial emissions.

One of the critical targets of the National Action Plan is a 20% reduction in NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emitted by cement, chemicals, fertilizer, and petroleum production facilities. Additionally, the plan enforces bans on charcoal stove use in cities and requires owners of factories to utilize the best available technology to control pollution and limit environmental impacts.

The energy sector, including industrial processes, is a significant contributor to Vietnam's greenhouse gas emissions. The National Action Plan on Air Quality Management encourages industrial parks to install emissions treatment systems, and the government is drafting the National Climate Change Strategy until 2050, which will further shape the country's approach to reducing emissions.

The impact of industrial air pollution on public health is a significant concern. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is linked to respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and adverse effects on mental health. According to the World Health Organization, around 60,000 deaths in Vietnam each year are attributed to air pollution.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolises, consistently rank among the world's most polluted cities, with Hanoi's Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently exceeding unhealthy levels. The industrial activities and high density of vehicles in these cities significantly contribute to poor air quality.

To address the issue of industrial air pollution, Vietnam is focusing on improving public transport, controlling industrial emissions, and implementing strict vehicle emission standards. The government is also promoting the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources to reduce pollution levels.

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