Environmental challenges in Hanoi

Hanoi is facing multiple environmental pressures related to air quality and rising temperatures. Air pollution in the capital has been driven by seasonal agricultural practices, specifically the burning of rice straw and other byproducts, alongside dust from rapid urban construction and infrastructure projects.

In addition to air quality concerns, the city is experiencing intensified heat. Recent data indicates that Hanoi is increasingly susceptible to extreme temperatures caused by global climate change and the urban heat island effect. The city has recorded significant temperature peaks, including a rare late-season heatwave in September, with meteorologists warning that urban surfaces like asphalt and concrete may cause actual temperatures to exceed official readings.

Temperature extremes have continued to escalate. In 2026, Hanoi recorded peaks of 38.7 degrees Celsius in May and 40.8 degrees Celsius in June, followed by a record-setting September heatwave of 38.4 degrees Celsius. Projections suggest that as urbanization continues, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will face intensified heat and extreme weather impacts.

As the dry winter season approaches, air pollution risks are increasing due to low wind speeds that prevent pollutant dispersal. Hanoi has recently been ranked as the third most polluted city globally by IQAir. Key contributors to this decline in air quality include traffic dust, industrial emissions from facilities such as the Van Dien phosphate plant, and dust from major infrastructure projects like the Highway 6 and 2.5 Ring Road upgrades, where construction sites often lack sufficient shielding.