Ha Noi urges residents to stay indoors as air pollution worsens
VGP - The local authorities are calling on residents—particularly the elderly, children, and people with respiratory conditions—to limit outdoor activities amid hazardous air pollution levels across the capital.
Monitoring data in recent days show Ha Noi consistently ranked among the world's ten most polluted cities. Several inner-city districts, including Thanh Xuan, Le Duan, Tay Ho, and Vinh Tuy, have recorded pollution levels posing serious risks to public health.
The Department of Education and Training directed to notify schools and advise them to suspend or reschedule outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 301 or above, schools may temporarily suspend classes or adjust schedules accordingly.
In a newly issued directive, the municipal government ordered urgent measures to address rising pollution. The Department of Agriculture and Environment has been told to deploy remote monitoring tools—including drones, a dedicated mobile app, and social media channels—to detect and penalize illegal burning of waste, straw, rice husks, and other agricultural by-products.
The city will also tighten supervision of waste treatment facilities to ensure smooth operation and prevent dust and odour emissions during waste reception and processing.
The Department of Construction must require contractors to implement strict dust-control measures at construction sites and pilot mist-spraying technology to reduce dust in residential areas, parks, and along major roads. In coordination with local police and communal authorities, it will carry out inspections targeting construction and transport activities that may generate dust.
Traffic police will intensify inspections and strictly handle violations involving the burning of industrial waste or household garbage, especially in craft villages, village clusters, and areas on the outskirts of the city.
Ha Noi will increase the frequency of street sweeping and dust vacuuming, while deploying water-spraying vehicles to wash major roads and urban gateways. Road cleaning and dust suppression will be prioritized during off-peak hours, particularly at night or early morning before 6 a.m.
The Department of Ethnic Affairs and Religion will launch a communications campaign encouraging religious establishments and the public to limit the burning of joss paper.
Meanwhile, the Health Department will issue public health guidance and coordinate with relevant agencies to advise vulnerable groups to avoid exercising outdoors early in the morning or late at night, and to wear masks when outdoors during periods of poor air quality./.
