Shops selling oxygen and related products, which are common in heavily polluted industrial countries, are on the increase in Hanoi and HCM City, showing concern over air pollution in Vietnam.

According to experts from tourism sector, Vietnam's environment is typical of tropical countries that border the ocean and remains better than other countries in the world. However, in recent years, concern for the environment has been on the increase.

Most northern cities suffer from pollution caused by dust. The level of this type of pollution is 1.3 to 3 times higher than the recommended amount in some areas, especially Hanoi and HCM City. According to Hanoi's Department of Environment, Science and Technology, pollution in industrial zones and major roads in Hanoi is 1.5 to 4 times the standard, with Phap Van, Mai Dong, Van Dien and Chem suburbs recording the highest levels.

Under the Clean Air Initiative Asia (CAI Asia), factories are being urged to apply technologies and modern production lines for cleaner production and control air pollution on site. Large cities have also been advised to implement strict transport regulations and encourage people to use gas instead of coal and wood.

In order to stress the importance of controlling air pollution, information on air quality in northern cities will be made available on the Hydrometeorology Institute (HI) website and, starting next year, television weather forecasts will also include reports that categorise air quality as very clean, clean, medium, polluted and very polluted, said Duong Hong Son, director of the environmental research centre at the HI.

Experts are also urging the Government to push through policies to tackle the issue of air pollution.

(Source: Viet Nam News)