Hanoi and major cities see better air quality in May

The air quality of major Vietnamese cities in May was better than in previous months, with a significant improvement in the capital of Hanoi, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The air quality in Hanoi was much better in May.
The air quality in Hanoi was much better in May.

Most cities saw the 24-hour average levels of dangerous PM2.5, particles that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter, within the Vietnamese standards.

The number of days with good and moderate air quality in May was also higher than in previous months.

The data was aggregated from 18 monitoring stations in Hanoi, Viet Tri, Ha Long, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi, which is usually more seriously polluted with particulate matter than other cities, had 90% of days with moderate to good air quality.

The PM2.5 levels monitored at most stations in the city centre were within Vietnamese standards, but the concentration of the fine particulate matter reached dangerous territory in Pham Van Dong, Hang Dau and Minh Khai Streets on several days.

According to the Vietnam Environment Agency, May marks the beginning of the rainy season, so the air quality in many localities, especially Hanoi and northern provinces, is better than in the dry season months.

However, the national weather agency has warned that prolonged heatwaves in summer can affect the air quality considerably, especially in urban areas.