Vietnam weighs remote schooling and truck limits for air pollution alerts
A ministry proposal covers eight northern localities and would introduce yellow and red warnings linked to daily air quality readings.
Schools would move lessons online and heavy diesel trucks would face peak-hour access limits during red pollution alerts under proposed rules submitted by a Vietnamese ministry to the prime minister. The plan seeks coordinated action against severe air pollution across eight northern localities.
The initial coverage would include Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho and Thai Nguyen. The draft addresses hazardous air conditions, defined by a Vietnam Air Quality Index (VN_AQI) reading of at least 301, and proposes yellow and red warnings based on daily readings.
At the red stage, educational institutions would be required to conduct classes online until the warning was downgraded or withdrawn. Staff at state agencies and public service units would work remotely unless their responsibilities involved processing administrative procedures directly at their offices.
Access to inner-city districts and densely populated neighbourhoods would be restricted for diesel trucks weighing at least three metric tons during two periods: 6:00 am–9:00 am and 4:00 pm–7:30 pm. Trucks carrying food or other essential goods would be exempt.
Red-stage measures would stop construction work that generates dust in those areas. Authorities would publish pollution warnings at least three times daily and provide protective supplies for outdoor workers and disadvantaged residents. Burning votive paper and holding ceremonies producing widespread smoke and dust would also be suspended in specified locations.
At the yellow stage, large emitters would need uninterrupted automatic monitoring and maximum-efficiency exhaust treatment. Kindergartens and primary and middle schools would halt outdoor group activities and encourage remote lessons. Health advice and pollution warnings would be provided at least twice daily.
The ministry cited worsening particulate pollution, particularly PM2.5. The national environmental report for 2021-25 recorded daily PM2.5 averages above national standards on more than 15 per cent to nearly 40 per cent of days at monitoring stations in the eight localities.
