Air Pollution In Vietnam: Understanding The Root Causes

Vietnam is among the ten countries most affected by air pollution worldwide, with around 70,000 deaths attributed to air pollution each year. The country's rapid economic growth and urbanisation have led to a fivefold increase in greenhouse gas emissions over the last two decades, with the energy sector being the largest contributor, followed by agriculture, industrial processes, and waste. Indoor air pollution, often caused by cooking with solid fuels, is also a significant issue, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Other factors impacting Vietnam's air quality include vehicle exhaust fumes, open burning of agricultural waste, and forest fires.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing per-capita emitters of greenhouse gases, according to the World Bank. While Vietnam is considered a modest greenhouse gas emitter, its emissions have increased fivefold in the last two decades. The energy sector is responsible for more than half of the country's emissions, with agriculture, industrial processes, and waste also contributing significantly.

The Vietnamese government has recognised the need to address greenhouse gas emissions and has taken steps to tackle this issue. The Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE), is the main body responsible for regulating and monitoring environmental issues, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

At the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in 2021 (COP26), Vietnam's Prime Minister committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050. This ambitious target reflects the country's growing awareness of the economic costs of resource depletion and climate impacts, which have already started to affect trade and investment, two key drivers of Vietnam's robust growth.

To achieve its emissions reduction target, Vietnam will need to address several challenges. Firstly, the country's waste generation is expected to double in less than 15 years, contributing to both air and water pollution. Plastic waste, in particular, is a significant issue, with the Mekong River being one of the top ten in-land rivers contributing to global marine plastic pollution. Secondly, Vietnam's population and economy are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, and the rapid depletion of natural resources due to urbanization and economic growth is causing environmental threats and waste management challenges.

Despite these challenges, there is optimism that Vietnam can improve its environmental sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country has received international support, with government grants from Japan, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Australia, Germany, and France financing projects in the water sector and environmental improvements. Additionally, addressing air pollution and reducing its health impacts will have co-benefits for Vietnam's society and economy, including improved labour productivity and greater access to clean energy.

Household air pollution

Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by air pollution worldwide. The country's air quality is suffering from some of the worst air pollution ever recorded, with its two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, ranking among the top 15 most polluted cities in Southeast Asia. In 2023, Vietnam's air quality was the second most polluted in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.

Indoor smoke from household air pollution, caused by cooking and heating with biomass fuels and coal, poses a severe health risk. In 2016, approximately 3.8 million premature deaths were attributed to household air pollution, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, household air pollution is a significant contributor to outdoor air pollution in both urban and rural areas, causing an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide annually.

To address household air pollution in Vietnam, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen primary health systems and implement solutions. They are also educating households on protecting their children from indoor air pollution. The Vietnamese government is also taking steps to introduce environmental standards, rules, and regulations to tackle the country's air pollution crisis.

Industrial processes

The energy sector is the largest contributor to Vietnam's greenhouse gas emissions, and the country's reliance on coal-fired power plants is a major source of air pollution. These power plants emit harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

In addition to the energy sector, agricultural practices also contribute to air pollution. The use of biomass fuels, such as wood and coal, for cooking and heating in rural areas, releases harmful pollutants into the air. Indoor air pollution from these sources can lead to serious health risks, including respiratory infections, lung diseases, and cardiovascular problems.

Waste management is another pressing issue in Vietnam, with waste generation expected to double in less than 15 years. The open burning of waste, including plastic waste, releases toxic fumes and contributes to air pollution. Vietnam is also among the top ten countries affected by global marine plastic pollution, with the Mekong River being a significant source of plastic pollution in the oceans.

To address these issues, the Vietnamese government has taken several initiatives. The Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE), plays a crucial role in regulating and inspecting environmental standards. MONRE is responsible for land use planning, education, and awareness of national land laws and regulations. Additionally, they have taken the lead in implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address international environmental concerns.

Vietnam has also committed to ambitious targets, such as reducing emissions to Net Zero by 2050, demonstrating their recognition of the urgency to tackle air pollution and its associated impacts on public health, the economy, and the environment.

Vehicle exhaust fumes

The dense concentration of motorbikes and automobiles in Hanoi's numerous narrow streets traps the exhaust fumes, creating a hazardous mix of pollutants that negatively impacts air quality and endangers public health. The situation is exacerbated during the winter months when humid weather and calm winds cause fine dust and pollutants to linger in the lower atmosphere, further degrading air quality.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city, also faces significant air pollution challenges due to vehicle emissions. The city is home to approximately four million motorbikes, and traffic congestion is a common occurrence. The high number of vehicles, coupled with the dense urban environment, results in elevated levels of exhaust fumes and particulate matter, leading to poor air quality and potential health risks for residents and visitors alike.

To address the issue of vehicle exhaust fumes and improve air quality, Vietnam has taken several measures. These include implementing regulations and standards through the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE). Additionally, there has been a push for public transportation systems, such as buses and trains, and the encouragement of using electric vehicles over gasoline and diesel cars. Localities are also urged to take radical actions, such as fully recovering and reusing agricultural by-products, limiting open burning, and strictly enforcing environmental protection laws to minimise emissions and improve overall air quality in the country.

Forest fires

In recent years, remote sensing tools such as satellite data and ground-based measurements have been employed to monitor regional fire hazards and air pollutant emissions in Vietnam. The country has also deployed a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Direct Broadcast receiving station in Hanoi for early forest fire detection. This system, named FireWatchVN, includes near real-time active fire hotspot detection, interactive web-mapping fire visualization, a fire database, and statistical analysis functions.

Analysis of active fires in Vietnam from 2004 to 2012 revealed an average of 16,086 fires per year, with the peak fire season occurring in March. The Northwest and Central Highlands regions are important hotspots for forest fires. The peak year for active fires was 2010, with 21,750 fires recorded.

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