Is the air quality good in Hanoi?
As of May 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM (local time), air quality in Hanoi, Vietnam, is poor, with AQI readings exceeding 150, placing air quality in the "unhealthy" range with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant.
These conditions may increase the risk of adverse health effects, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Hanoi's air quality map.
While air quality conditions in Hanoi today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Hanoi was 45.9 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 126 (“unhealthy for sensitive groups”) and was 9.1 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Hanoi, Vietnam, ranked as the 2nd most polluted major city as of May 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Hanoi?
Air quality is forecast to improve over the weekend as weather conditions become more favorable for pollutant dispersion.
Hourly air quality forecast for Hanoi, Vietnam, as of May 29, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Hanoi, Vietnam, as of May 29, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Hanoi?
Hanoi's poor air quality is driven by a combination of local emissions and regional pollution sources (1).
- Heavy road traffic, including motorcycles, buses, and private vehicles.
- Industrial activities in and around Hanoi, including manufacturing facilities and fossil fuel combustion.
- Coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities in neighboring regions.
- Construction activities that generate large amounts of dust.
- Agricultural residue and biomass burning in surrounding provinces, particularly during the dry season.
Researchers also found that pollution levels can be influenced by long-range transport of pollutants from outside the city, making regional emission control an important component of improving air quality in Hanoi (2).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
