Vietnam's Pollution: What's The Main Culprit?

Vietnam is facing a pollution crisis, particularly in its two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are among the top 15 most polluted cities in Southeast Asia. The country's pollution problems are multi-faceted, with air pollution, water pollution, and waste management issues all posing significant challenges. The primary sources of urban air pollution are transportation, industrial activities, construction, agriculture and handicraft production, and poor waste management practices. In addition, indoor air pollution from the use of biomass fuels and coal for cooking and heating is a serious health risk, causing respiratory infections, lung cancer, and other health issues. Vietnam's government has implemented various strategies and plans to address pollution, including the National Environmental Protection Strategy to 2020 and the National Action Plan on Air Quality Management in 2016, but long-term policies and stronger enforcement are needed to effectively tackle the country's pollution crisis.

Transportation

To address transportation-related pollution, Vietnam has implemented several measures. The National Action Plan on Air Quality Management, approved in 2016, includes stricter vehicle emission standards and improved traffic control measures. The plan aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality by encouraging the use of cleaner technologies and alternative fuels. Vietnam has also invested in public mass transport systems, such as the Hanoi metro, which opened in 2021, to reduce the reliance on private vehicles and alleviate traffic congestion.

The country is also exploring market-based instruments, such as preferential taxation for clean vehicles and higher taxes for polluting ones, to incentivize the adoption of more environmentally friendly transportation options. These initiatives are part of Vietnam's long-term strategy to tackle pollution and improve the environment. For example, the Decision 450/QD-TTg National Strategy for Environmental Protection, issued in April 2022, outlines a vision to prevent increasing pollution, restore environmental quality, and transition to a green economy with low carbon emissions.

While these efforts are a step in the right direction, there is still a need for stronger enforcement of existing policies and continued investment in environmental protection. Vietnam's rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to a significant increase in waste generation, with waste levels expected to double in less than 15 years. This waste contributes to air pollution and poses challenges for effective management and disposal. Additionally, the energy sector, agriculture, and industrial processes are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address pollution from multiple sectors.

Industrial activities

Many industrial enterprises in Vietnam have a poor environmental record. Numerous factories use outdated equipment, which is less efficient and more polluting. These factories often lack systems to control and treat wastewater and air emissions, and they are typically located in urban or near-urban areas, affecting the quality of life of residents. The Vietnamese government has been encouraging older industrial sites, including coal power plants, cement factories, and steel manufacturers, to relocate from city centres to industrial parks in the suburbs.

To address the issue of industrial pollution, the government has introduced various tools and policies for pollution prevention and control. For example, the National Action Plan on Air Quality Management, approved by the Prime Minister in 2016, includes enhanced monitoring of industrial emissions. Additionally, the government has implemented fees on wastewater through Decision 67/2003/NDCP and has taken steps to reduce pollution through Prime Minister Decision 64/2003/QD-TTg.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on environmental protection and pollution reduction in Vietnam. In April 2022, the government issued Decision 450/QD-TTg, the National Strategy for Environmental Protection to 2030, with a vision towards 2050. This strategy aims to prevent increasing pollution, improve the environment, and ensure environmental security. Vietnam has also made commitments at the UN Climate Change Conference, including a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Construction

According to the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), construction sites are a major source of increased particulate matter in the air. This issue is exacerbated by poor urban planning, with many construction projects located in or near urban centres. The dust and particulate matter from these sites contribute to the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is of specific concern in Vietnam. In 2019, Hanoi had only eight days with PM2.5 levels below the national standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). Ho Chi Minh City fared slightly better, with 36 days below the standard. For the remaining days of the year, over ten million people in these cities breathed heavily polluted air.

To address the pollution caused by construction activities, the Vietnamese government has implemented several measures. The National Action Plan on Air Quality Management, passed in 2016, includes enhanced dust management measures for construction sites and transporting trucks. These measures aim to reduce the amount of dust and particulate matter released into the air during construction activities. Additionally, the government has introduced stricter regulations on vehicle emission standards and better traffic control to mitigate the impact of construction on air quality.

However, the effectiveness of these measures is yet to be seen, and long-term national policies with stronger enforcement are urgently needed. The government has also committed to several environmental protection initiatives, such as the National Strategy for Environmental Protection to 2030, which aims to prevent increasing pollution, improve environmental quality, and ensure environmental security. While these steps are positive, Vietnam continues to struggle with alarming air pollution, and more concerted efforts are required to address the issue effectively.

Agriculture

Vietnam's two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are among the top 15 most polluted cities in Southeast Asia. In 2019, Hanoi had only eight days with PM2.5 levels below the national standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City experienced 36 days below the standard. For the rest of the year, over ten million people in these cities were exposed to heavily polluted air.

The Vietnamese government has implemented various strategies, plans, and action programs to address the country's pollution challenges. In 2016, Vietnam passed a National Action Plan on Air Quality Management, which included stricter regulations on vehicle emission standards, better traffic control, dust management measures, and enhanced monitoring of industrial emissions. In 2022, the government issued the National Strategy for Environmental Protection to 2030, with a vision towards 2050, aiming to prevent increasing pollution, solve urgent environmental problems, and improve the environment.

While these measures are steps in the right direction, long-term national policies and stronger enforcement of existing policies are still needed. Additionally, investment in environmental protection in Vietnam remains modest, and the use of environmental funds by various ministries and agencies could be more effective.

The country's rapid urbanization, economic growth, and population increase are also contributing to the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation, leading to increasing waste management and pollution challenges. Vietnam's waste generation is expected to double in less than 15 years, and the issue of marine plastic pollution is particularly concerning, with the Mekong River being one of the top contributors to global marine plastic pollution.

Waste management

Vietnam's waste management infrastructure is still developing, especially in rural areas, and the country is facing challenges in managing and disposing of its waste. The rapid economic development, urbanization, and industrial growth in Vietnam have significantly increased the volume of waste produced, with waste generation expected to double in less than 15 years. This has resulted in Vietnam becoming one of the top contributors to plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.

The country's waste management issues are exacerbated by limited access to proper waste collection, treatment facilities, and recycling infrastructure. There is a lack of awareness among the population regarding waste classification, and the implementation of a comprehensive waste collection system has faced challenges. Additionally, the occupation of waste collecting is often associated with Vietnam's lower class, and those who work as waste collectors face prejudice, social stigmatization, and exposure to harmful working conditions.

To address these issues, Vietnam has introduced several strategies and plans. The National Strategy on Integrated Solid Waste Management, with a vision towards 2025 and 2050, aims to improve solid waste management in the country. The government has also created a National Action Plan on ocean plastic waste and plans to implement a nationwide ban on single-use plastics by 2025.

Furthermore, Vietnam's attention to climate change and environmental protection has led to the release of National Action Plans addressing air quality, water conservation, and plastic waste pollution. The government is also working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the ozone layer through decrees and strategies such as the National Climate Change Strategy and the National Methane Emissions Inventory.

While these measures are positive steps, long-term national policies, stronger enforcement of existing policies, and increased investment in environmental protection are still needed to effectively tackle Vietnam's waste management challenges.

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