The Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology on March 14 hosted a scientific conference titled "Current Situation and Solutions for Addressing Urgent Environmental Issues in Hanoi."

The event was attended by Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Professor and Academician Chau Van Minh – President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Permanent Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Trong Dong, and more than 200 delegates, experts, and scientists from Vietnam and abroad.

Hanoi is a special urban center, playing a key role in Vietnam's economy, culture, science, and national defense, Chairman Thanh said in his remarks.

The city has one of the largest populations and fastest urbanization rates in the country, particularly in the inner districts where rapid population growth has created significant environmental challenges, he said.

Hanoi also serves as the core of the Red River Delta region, which has the highest economic growth rate in Vietnam, he said.

However, this rapid development has led to serious environmental issues, including air pollution, overburdened waste management systems, and wastewater treatment challenges, Thanh said.

Environmental protection has always been a top priority for both the central government and city authorities, he added.

"In recent years, Hanoi has taken various measures to address pollution, including reducing private vehicle use, investing in public transportation, phasing out honeycomb charcoal stoves, increasing street cleaning efforts, and monitoring construction site sanitation," he said.

"The city is working to improve wastewater treatment, clean up rivers, and restore the To Lich River under the guidance of General Secretary To Lam. Efforts also include modernizing waste collection systems and piloting waste separation at the source in five central districts."

Despite these efforts, Chairman Thanh acknowledged that Hanoi's environmental quality, especially air quality, still does not meet expectations. He called for support from experts, scientists, organizations, businesses, and local communities to find effective solutions.

"With sincerity and an open mind, we welcome creative and practical ideas from experts, scientists, and policymakers. Your contributions will help us quickly improve Hanoi's environment and build a civilized, modern, and culturally rich capital city," he said.

Sciences and technologies as key for a cleaner Hanoi

Professor Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, highlighted Hanoi's historical significance as a political, economic, and scientific center with over 1,000 years of development.

Like many major cities worldwide, Hanoi faces severe environmental issues due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, he said.

Professor Minh pointed out key challenges such as PM2.5 air pollution, contamination of surface and groundwater, increasing waste pressure, and climate change impacts, including extreme weather and shrinking green spaces.

"These environmental problems not only affect public health and quality of life but also reduce Hanoi's attractiveness for investment and long-term sustainable development. Therefore, finding effective solutions to these urgent issues is a top priority," he said.

Professor Minh stressed the importance of science and technology in environmental management.

He noted that many cities worldwide have successfully applied advanced technologies, such as automatic air quality monitoring systems, modern wastewater treatment methods, circular economy models for waste management, and artificial intelligence for environmental monitoring and forecasting.

"The government has emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in promoting sustainable urban development. This aligns with the city's environmental protection goals," he said.

He added that the conference provides a valuable platform for scientists, policymakers, and businesses to exchange ideas and discuss breakthrough solutions to Hanoi's pressing environmental issues.

"We hope the discussions will offer in-depth scientific analysis of Hanoi's environmental challenges, international experiences, and practical policy and technology solutions. These insights will serve as a foundation for the city to implement more effective environmental protection measures," he said.

Professor Minh expressed confidence that with its strong scientific and technological capabilities, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology will continue to be a reliable partner in helping Hanoi address environmental challenges.

He envisioned a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable capital city that reflects Vietnam's growth and prosperity in the modern era.