Is the air quality good in Hanoi?
As of March 12, 2026, at 5:00 AM PT, Hanoi, Vietnam, is experiencing poor air quality with the Air Quality Index (AQI) above 170, placing conditions in the unhealthy range.
These conditions may increase the risk of respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with underlying health 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 2024 for Hanoi was 45 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 124 (“unhealthy for sensitive groups”) and was 9 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Hanoi, Vietnam, ranked among the most polluted major cities as of March 12, 2026, at 5:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Hanoi, Vietnam, as of March 12, 2026, at 5:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Hanoi?
Short-term improvement in Hanoi depends on shifting weather conditions. Stronger winds and occasional spring rainfall can help disperse pollutants and lower PM2.5 concentrations across the city.
Although winter inversion conditions have largely eased, air pollution episodes can still occur during early spring when stagnant air slows the dispersion of emissions. Air quality may therefore fluctuate in the coming days, improving during windy or rainy periods but deteriorating again when atmospheric mixing weakens.
Hourly air quality forecast for Hanoi, Vietnam, as of March 12, 2026, at 5:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Daily air quality trends in Hanoi, Vietnam, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Hanoi?
Hanoi’s poor air quality is driven by a combination of urban emissions and regional pollution sources. Traffic emissions from cars, buses, and the city’s large fleet of motorbikes release significant amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Industrial activities, construction dust, and coal-fired power generation in northern Vietnam also contribute to elevated pollution levels.
During the early spring months, agricultural burning and biomass fires in surrounding provinces can add additional smoke and particulate matter that drifts into the capital. Regional transport of pollution combined with high urban emissions can therefore lead to recurring smog episodes even as temperatures begin to rise. Air quality conditions often fluctuate depending on wind patterns, rainfall, and the movement of pollution across northern Vietnam (1).
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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.
