Hanoi air quality reaches unhealthy levels, ranking second most polluted globally

Hanoi experienced significant air pollution on August 27, with air quality reaching levels categorized as ‘unhealthy’. According to data from AirVisual and IQAir, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached as high as 174 during the late morning hours, ranking Hanoi as the second most polluted major city in the world at that time, following Kinshasa.

The primary pollutant recorded was PM2.5 fine particulate matter, with concentrations reaching up to 88 µg/m³. The heavy pollution created a thick haze across the city, particularly in western areas like Thang Long Boulevard and Pham Hung Street, significantly reducing visibility and obscuring high-rise buildings.

Forecasts indicated that air quality was expected to improve toward the evening, with AQI levels projected to drop below 100 after 20:00. Health officials advise sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, to limit outdoor activities and wear appropriate masks during periods of high pollution.