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Suspended dust and noise from traffic activities are the two major causes of pollution in the city.

Fifteen air monitoring stations have been set up throughout the city. The average suspended dust concentration measured in 2014 at the 15 stations was between 163.42 and 607.08 μg/m3 per hour. 

The figures measured at 50 percent of the stations were found higher than the standards stipulated in QCVN 05:2013/BTNMT (the average concentration is 300 μg/m3).

An Suong Crossroads continues to be one of the most polluted areas in HCM City.

Meanwhile, pollution has increased most rapidly in the Phu Lam area. This is attributed to the execution of a project on upgrading the Tan Hoa–Lo Gom canal and Ong Buong bridge.

With heavier traffic in the area, especially the high number of trucks carrying sand, the area is getting more dusty.

An Suong also has the most serious noise pollution, measured at 45 – 86 decibels.

Son said that despite drastic measures taken over the last 10 years, air pollution has worsened steadily. 

As the population of the city has risen, the number of private vehicles has also increased, contributing to air pollution, especially when environmentally friendly materials are still not used on a large scale.

Son noted that though the watchdog agencies set strict requirements to prohibit imports of old machines, old vehicles with low standards regarding exhaust fumes still cross the border gates into Vietnam.

Pollution plan unattainable

HCM City authorities have created a plan to ease 70 percent of air and noise pollution caused by production activities in 2011-2015 and ease 50 percent of pollution caused by transport activities.

According to the HCM City environment department, there are 999 sources that generate emissions in the city. Emission-treatment systems are available at 85 percent of waste-generation sources.

However, the department can only assess the number of waste-generation sources which have standard treatment systems, while it cannot assess the decrease in pollution level.

Meanwhile, the city’s Transport Department has been focusing on easing traffic jams, while it still does not have any master plan to deal with noise from vehicles in circulation. Therefore, the pollution targets remain unattainable.

Experts have warned that the quality of water supply resources for HCM City has declined due to pollution in the Dong Nai River. In 2015, the city needs 2.7 million cubic metres for daily usage and business production every day. The figure is expected to rise to 3.55 million cubic metres by 2025.