The streets of Vietnam's capital city Hanoi were enveloped in thick smog on Monday which dramatically reduced visibility due to air pollution caused by high levels of particulates from vehicle emissions and construction-linked fine dust.
Levels of hazardous small particles known as PM2.5 in the air in Hanoi were at 187 micrograms per cubic metre late on Monday, the highest among a list of most polluted international cities, according to data from AirVisual, which provides independent global air pollution information via a phone app.
"This is damaging for our health," said Duong Kim Oanh, a 58-year-old Hanoi resident. "I think Hanoi's pollution is caused by a large number of personal vehicles and the fine dust from all the construction, plus this cold weather."
According to a 2021 World Bank report, emissions from Hanoi's 8 million registered vehicles made up 30% of air particulate pollution, and industry emissions another 30%.
The pollution "will affect people's respiratory system, making people feel sick or even suffocated," said Pham Thi Phuong, another resident.
Nearly 100 flights to and from the international airport in Hanoi were delayed or diverted to other cities on Feb. 2 due to heavy fog and worsening air pollution.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Elon Musk Faces Backlash After 'No Limit' Interview With Trump
WHO Declares Mpox Global Health Emergency For Second Time In 2 Years High Hopes In Israel For "Super Hero" Cocoa That Has Survived War Bharti Global To Acquire 24.5% Stake In BT Group From Altice UK 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Vandalism At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped, Tear Gas Fired 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing "Secular Civil Code Need Of Times": PM Modi In Independence Day Speech Taylor Swift To Return To Stage For Eras Tour After Vienna Attack Plot "140 Crore Indians Worried About Safety Of Hindus In Bangladesh": PM Modi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.