Hanoi faces air pollution from agricultural burning and construction

Hanoi is experiencing increased air pollution pressure due to seasonal agricultural practices and rapid urban development. The burning of rice straw and agricultural byproducts after harvests remains a significant seasonal issue. In Hanoi alone, approximately 170,000 hectares of rice cultivation generate nearly 830,000 tons of straw annually. While some straw is collected, many farmers burn it in fields to clear land for the next season or to produce ash for fertilizer, creating widespread smoke and fine particulate matter.

Simultaneously, urban construction and infrastructure projects are contributing to dust accumulation. Major roadworks and site clearances in areas such as La Thanh and Quang Trung streets release dust from excavation, material transport, and demolition. This construction dust, combined with high traffic density, exacerbates the city's air quality challenges. Authorities have issued directives to increase monitoring and curb open burning, but the combination of seasonal agricultural habits and ongoing urban expansion continues to impact the capital's air quality.