The health ministry advised children, seniors and individuals with heart or lung diseases to stay indoors and avoid sustained and high-intensity outdoor activities. Air pollution indexes in Hanoi city have climbed to alarming levels for six days now, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to warn people to limit their exposure to open air and protect themselves against air pollutants, local media reported. The capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at above 200 over the recent six days at 10 air monitoring stations placed throughout the city. The level has stayed consistently high between midnight until noon. A corner of Hanoi in a shroud of haze in the morning. Photo: Gia Nghia At this level, the MoH advised children, seniors and individuals with heart or lung diseases to stay indoors and avoid sustained and high-intensity outdoor activities. In case of going out, people should use PM2.5 dust-proof face masks and should travel by car or bus. Drivers are advised to strictly abide by traffic law to reduce traffic congestion. The MoH recommends that Hanoi’s residents should learn about air quality information in their surroundings before going out. Information on the capital city’s air quality is continuously updated at the website: https://moitruongthudo.vn/ and https://airhanoi.hanoi.gov.vn/. Besides, it is advisable to clean the nose, mouth, throat, and eyes with physiological saline, especially after going out and before going to bed. For smokers, the MoH recommends quitting or limiting smoking, while non-smokers should stay away from the smoking environment. People should not open windows and doors when the air is seriously polluted, especially households which are near roads and polluted areas. They are asked to plant trees in and around their houses to help prevent dust and clean the air. The MoH also warned people to avoid burning waste, cooking by charcoal stoves, transporting construction waste without shielding …
High noons
First heat wave to hit Hanoi this week
Temperature would be particularly high in the capital city of Hanoi, with approximately 38 degrees Celsius on April 2. Northern localities of Vietnam, including Hanoi, will endure their first major hot spell of the 2021 summer with temperatures in some places reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF). The blazingly-hot temperatures will last from March 30 until April 2, the NCHMF said, adding that temperatures would range from between 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. A woman drives her daughter on the motorbike under the intensive sunlight. Photo: VoThanh Temperature would be particularly high in the capital city of Hanoi, with approximately 38 degrees Celsius on April 2. From the beginning of this week, the scorching heat would be felt in the northwestern region and Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces in north central Vietnam, as well as a large area stretching from the central city Danang to the southern province of Khanh Hoa, with temperatures reaching 35-38 degrees Celsius at noon. As the searing heat is accompanied by increased levels of UV rays, local people are recommended to put on sunglasses, masks, and gloves in an effort to protect their skin whilst commuting. People are cautioned to prevent likely fire in residential areas as well as wildfire and are advised to avoid outdoor activities from 11 am to 4 pm, drink enough water and proper diet to enhance the immune system. This summer, some parts across Vietnam are predicted to see the mercury climbing up to the unbelievable 39-42 degrees Celsius, and the temperatures at some points may hit record highs, the NCHMF said. Meanwhile, the South of Vietnam is expected to suffer from suffocating hot weather for many days. Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) will see a UV index reading of 11 or more, posing high risk of skin damage, including skin cancer, for people exposed under the sun for a long time. The city may …
Blazing heat attacks Hanoi
The temperature in Hanoi peaked an average 38 degrees Celsius at 11a.m; however, outdoor temperature was about 44-46 degrees Celsius due to the urban heat island effect. Scorching heat has hit Hanoians hard today, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, the highest since the beginning of this year, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. Summer has just begun but residents in Hanoi have already felt the worst of it when the temperature surged to 38 degrees Celsius in the midst of the scorching heat wave at noon while the heat on the road was recorded at up to 41 degrees Celsius. The heat wave is affecting the Hanoians’ daily routines. Motorbike commuters wrapped themselves in thick hoodies, face mask and sunglasses. Outdoor workers have to take a rest every 15 minutes under the trees’ shades while street vendors hide under pedestrian tunnels and locals minimize outdoor activities. According to the National Center for Vietnam Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, intensive heat would cause dehydration, exhaustion and stroke when working or traveling under the sun for a long time. Temperatures are forecast to go down tomorrow (May 22) thanks to rains in the northern region. Workers make a living in the hot sun. At noon, the peak temperature reaches 41 degrees Celsius. Many people take shelter from the hot sun in a pedestrian tunnel on Pham Hung street. High temperatures stir up daily life in Hanoi. Workers have to cover themselves with umbrellas to avoid the heat on Hoang Sa street, Dong Anh district. This is a violation of the Road Traffic Law. The sun is bright red on West Lake. Sidewalk tea shop becomes a place for workers to cool down with a cup of ice tea. Motorbike drivers take refuge from the sun under the overpass of Belt Road 3. Hot weather disturbs people’s life. …