Vietnam implements an action plan to clean the air for all citizens by 2030

In recent years, air pollution in many major urban areas such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, industrial cities, and craft villages has become a pressing issue. At various times, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen into poor, bad, and even very bad levels. Emission sources come from many directions: traffic exhaust from high vehicle density; industrial zones and factories located near residential areas; dust from construction and cargo loading activities; smoke from craft villages and small-scale production facilities; common practice of burning waste or agricultural by-products in the fields... Air pollution increases respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, affects labor productivity and quality of life, and causes significant economic losses.

Given that context, the national action plan for the period 2026 - 2030 sets the goal of controlling, preventing, and gradually cleaning the air, especially in pollution “hotspots”. By 2030, air quality in major urban areas and densely populated regions must be significantly improved; the number of days with good and average air quality should increase; and concentrations of key pollutants should trend downward, meeting Vietnamese standards and approaching the recommendations of the World Health Organization. In the long term, the vision to 2045 is closely linked with the strategy for green growth, circular economy development, and a transition toward a low-carbon development model.

To achieve these goals, the plan sets out a system of tasks and solutions aimed at directly addressing each group of emission sources, while also improving institutional foundations and strengthening modern management tools. First, the State will continue to review, supplement and complete standards and regulations on air quality and emissions; increase inspections; and strictly handle violations such as discharging pollutants beyond permissible limits, failing to operate emission treatment systems, or burning waste illegally. At the same time, the network of automatic and continuous air-quality monitoring stations will be expanded; data will be connected and shared to form a national database serving forecasting and early warning, enabling citizens and authorities to respond proactively.

An important pillar is promoting energy transition and developing green transport. The plan encourages the use of clean fuels and renewable energy in production, business, and daily life; gradually eliminates outdated, energy-intensive, and high-emission technologies in industry. The transport sector is tasked with developing mass public transportation systems and prioritizing low-emission vehicles, including those using electricity or natural gas; while tightening the control of motor-vehicle emissions, particularly from old vehicles, expired vehicles, or those failing to meet environmental standards.

For industrial, construction, and cargo-handling emission sources, manufacturing facilities and industrial zones must install and operate emission-treatment systems that meet standards and transmit monitoring data to management authorities. Construction activities must comply with regulations on shielding, watering, and proper transportation methods to minimize dust. Rural areas and craft villages are required to sharply reduce the burning of agricultural by-products in the fields and the uncontrolled burning of waste; models for collecting and reusing by-products to produce biomass energy or organic fertilizers are encouraged; and facilities causing serious pollution will gradually be reorganized or relocated out of residential areas.

In parallel, the plan emphasizes developing green spaces and sustainable urban infrastructure. Programs for planting trees, building parks, roadside green belts, regulating lakes, and water surfaces will be integrated into local planning and investment strategies. Green spaces help improve the urban microclimate, absorb dust and toxic gases, and create a healthier living environment for residents.

Another notable component is strengthening scientific research, technological application, and technology transfer for emission treatment and cleaner production; while encouraging circular-economy models, recycling, and waste reuse. Viet Nam will also proactively expand international cooperation, mobilizing green finance, technical support, and experience to implement emission-reduction projects and improve air quality.

To ensure feasibility, the national action plan clearly assigns responsibilities: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment serves as the focal agency, providing guidance, organizing implementation, and monitoring and evaluating results; ministries such as Transport, Industry and Trade, Construction, Agriculture and Rural Development, Health,... develop sector-specific programs under their management; and the People’s Committees of provinces and cities issue provincial action plans, identify key pollution areas, allocate resources, and integrate air protection tasks into economic and social development plans.

Air is an “invisible resource” but essential for all life activities. Therefore, the national action plan on addressing pollution and managing ambient air quality for the period 2026 - 2030 is not merely a government document, but a call to action directed at every ministry, sector, locality, business, and individual. Every habit that shifts toward greener practices - limiting waste burning, reducing personal vehicle use, prioritizing public transport, saving energy, planting and protecting trees - directly contributes to cleaner air. When policies are implemented seriously and the community joins hands, the skies of Viet Nam will become increasingly clean for today’s generation and the generations to come.