Speaking at the workshop, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh said that Hanoi is implementing many activities to improve the air environment such as: Implementing solutions to reduce personal vehicles, enhancing the development of public passenger transport systems, converting to green transport, monitoring environmental sanitation of construction works, etc.

In addition, Hanoi is also urgently implementing solutions to replenish water in the To Lich River, reviving the river under the direction of General Secretary To Lam. It is expected that this task will be completed by September 2025.

The city also piloted modernizing waste collection and piloting waste classification at source in 5 inner-city districts... However, according to Mr. Thanh, the environmental quality in Hanoi has not met the requirements, especially the air quality.

Speaking at the workshop, Professor, Academician Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said that Hanoi, like many large cities in the world, is in the process of development and facing many serious environmental problems such as air pollution, water pollution, domestic waste, solid waste, etc.

According to Mr. Minh, environmental pollution not only affects the quality of life and public health, but can also affect the ability to attract investment, as well as the sustainable development of the capital. Therefore, finding effective solutions to solve urgent environmental problems in Hanoi is a top priority.

Mr. Minh emphasized that, in the face of environmental challenges, the role of science and technology in environmental management and protection is becoming increasingly important. This can be clearly seen in many developed countries in the world with many solutions that have been applied and brought about effectiveness.

Contributing his opinion to Hanoi, Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, mentioned the very "hot" issue today: air pollution, with high PM2.5 index, exceeding the allowable standard by 1.5 - 2 times for many days. The number of days with good air quality is only 15%, average 50%, poor and bad 34%.

Dr. Tung highly appreciated Hanoi's determination such as banning 16-seat vehicles from operating in the Old Quarter, having a roadmap to complete key traffic projects; building an automatic air monitoring system; implementing a roadmap to apply Euro 4.5 emission standards; converting some bus routes to electric; minimizing the use of honeycomb coal stoves... However, the effectiveness is not high because there is no specialized department for handling environmental pollution.

Therefore, Dr. Tung proposed that each locality needs to have specific targets and responsibilities for reducing air pollution (clear people, clear work, clear responsibilities, clear progress, clear efficiency). In addition, Hanoi needs to prioritize green transportation, use clean fuel, and check motorbike emissions in the inner city.

Regarding wastewater treatment, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (Hanoi University of Civil Engineering) recommended that Hanoi pay attention to investing in building green urban infrastructure, especially in water supply, drainage and wastewater treatment. Wastewater needs to be managed comprehensively, according to the "value chain", towards a circular economy, reusing wastewater and sludge.

From a policy perspective, Professor Viet Anh recommended that the city soon issue specific policies and mechanisms to promote water and energy saving; collect, treat, and reuse wastewater and sludge; develop sustainable water-oriented and drainage infrastructure, collect rainwater, control flooding and pollution, etc.

Concluding the workshop, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh thanked and acknowledged the valuable suggestions and contributions of scientists and environmental experts, and assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Research to fully absorb the opinions at the workshop; continue to carefully study the presentations and proposals for urgent and specific solutions to handle environmental pollution in the capital.

Mr. Thanh suggested that the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Research advise the City People's Committee to develop a coordination program between the city and research institutes, organizations, experts, and scientists to study ways to thoroughly solve the environmental pollution problem in Hanoi, focusing first on treating air pollution and cleaning up inner-city rivers.

"The city will create the most favorable conditions for initiatives and innovative ideas to be soon implemented, making practical contributions to the socio-economic development of the capital and the country," Mr. Thanh affirmed.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/chu-tich-ubnd-tp-ha-noi-tran-sy-thanh-ha-noi-dang-khan-truong-lam-song-lai-song-to-lich-post542546.html