Air pollution has become increasingly severe due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of industrial sectors. As a result, there has been a significant rise in respiratory diseases, posing direct threats to human health.
1. How Polluted Is the Air in Vietnam?
Air pollution in Vietnam is becoming more alarming, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. According to recent data from IQAir, at 09:06 AM on March 15, 2025, Hanoi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 151, ranking 6th among the world’s most polluted cities at that time.
Earlier, on January 14, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City reported an AQI of 194, ranking 4th, while Hanoi ranked 14th with an AQI of 159.
Pollution levels tend to rise at night and in the early morning due to stagnant air and temperature differences, making fine dust particles difficult to disperse and maintaining hazardous levels. The growing air pollution and photochemical smog not only affect the living environment but also pose serious risks to human health.
2. Impact of Air Pollution on Respiratory Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned about the harmful effects of air pollution on human health. The main sources of pollutants include traffic, industrial activity, construction, fuel combustion, and waste burning. Polluted air contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and toxic gases such as CO, SO₂, and NO₂, which can inflame the respiratory tract and affect the cardiovascular system.
Children and adults exposed to polluted air for prolonged periods may experience reduced lung function, increased risk of respiratory infections, and worsened asthma. Studies also link air pollution to diabetes and impaired neurological development in children.
Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. For those with existing respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, air pollution can worsen symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness. In fact, during periods of severe air pollution, hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions rise significantly.
3. Protecting Your Health with Air Quality Improvements
Research shows that when PM concentrations are reduced by 20–70 µg/m³, mortality from pollution-related diseases can drop by up to 15%. Therefore, raising awareness and taking proactive steps to protect both the environment and individual health is crucial.
Each person can start with simple habits, such as wearing masks when outdoors to reduce exposure to fine particles. Cotton masks block about 30% of dust, while specialized masks can filter up to 80%. It’s also important to minimize exposure to indoor pollutants like charcoal smoke, firewood, or tobacco smoke.
At the community level, enforcing environmental regulations and emissions control is essential. Effective solutions include:
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Replacing outdated equipment with cleaner technology to reduce harmful emissions.
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Installing dust filtration systems in factories and limiting coal and firewood burning.
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Planting more greenery to improve air quality and reduce the negative effects of pollution.
Additionally, individuals should maintain a healthy lifestyle by:
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Avoiding high-intensity exercise in polluted areas.
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Keeping living spaces clean, ventilated, and adding indoor plants.
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Eating antioxidant-rich foods and getting adequate vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system.
If you experience persistent symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, or throat itching, you should seek medical attention early to prevent chronic respiratory diseases or cardiovascular complications.
4. Where to Get Reliable Respiratory Health Checkups?
Rising air pollution, exposure to tobacco smoke, and an aging population have led to a surge in respiratory diseases, many with complex progressions. Taking care of your respiratory system is essential for maintaining overall health and improving quality of life.
H PLUS International Medical Center is a trusted facility for respiratory care and diagnosis. Our experienced medical team and advanced equipment—including 128-slice CT scanners, 3.0 Tesla MRI systems—enable accurate diagnosis of conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, lung cancer, tuberculosis, flu, and sleep apnea.
Protect your respiratory health today. For consultation and appointments at H PLUS International Medical Center, contact our hotline: +84 24-7306-9889.
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