Threat to public health
Air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is becoming a serious problem. According to Associate Professor Ho Quoc Bang, Ho Chi Minh City National University, traffic is the main cause of pollution, with 74% of PM2.5 fine dust in Hanoi and 18% in Ho Chi Minh City arising from this activity.
Along with that, toxic gases such as NOx, CO and SO2 not only degrade the environment but also directly affect public health.
Prof. Yafang Cheng - Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (Germany) - emphasized that aerosol particles from traffic are the cause of more than 9 million deaths worldwide each year. In Vietnam, air pollution is often worse in winter when the lower atmosphere causes pollutants to not diffuse and accumulate close to the ground. This increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
International experience in traffic pollution control
Los Angeles was once one of the most polluted cities in the world. However, thanks to the Clean Air Act of 1970, Los Angeles has effectively controlled emissions from transportation. Measures such as replacing old cars, implementing strict emission standards, and promoting electric vehicles have helped the city significantly improve air quality.
Similarly, Beijing, which once faced terrible levels of pollution, implemented a red alert system for air quality, while also promoting the use of electric vehicles and reducing industrial emissions. As a result, Beijing has reduced PM2.5 by more than 25% in just a decade.
Professor Daniel Kammen - University of California, Berkeley - shared that cities like San Francisco have not only shifted to green transportation but also set a goal of zero carbon emissions. Policies promoting renewable energy, combining public transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure, have brought sustainable results.
Solutions need immediate action in Vietnam
To address air pollution, Vietnam needs to implement a combination of short-term and long-term measures. First, it is necessary to strengthen vehicle emission testing, eliminate substandard vehicles, and encourage the use of public transport.
Second, it is necessary to invest in developing electric vehicles and charging station infrastructure nationwide. Prof. Daniel Kammen emphasized that electric vehicles are an effective solution but only really effective when there is a synchronous infrastructure network. Enterprises like VinFast are creating great opportunities, but support from the State, especially tax incentives and subsidies, will determine the popularity of electric vehicles in Vietnam.
Third, modern technologies such as AI and satellites need to be applied to monitor and analyze air quality in real time. These technologies not only help in monitoring but also support the development of effective emission control policies. Air pollution is not only an environmental problem but also a public health crisis.
Without drastic action, Vietnam will face more serious consequences in the future. Experts agree that reducing air pollution requires close coordination between the State, businesses and people, with the goal of developing sustainable transport and protecting public health.
