Expatriates Leave Hanoi Due to Severe Air Pollution

"This was a difficult decision because I spent eight years in this city," said William, a 38-year-old British national, regarding his family's relocation from Hanoi to Hoi An in late 2024.

The thought of leaving Hanoi first struck William after being stuck for half an hour in a traffic jam on a bridge in Ha Dong District. At that moment, he felt nauseous, and his chest felt as if it were being constricted. "Life in Hanoi would be perfect if it weren't for the pollution," he remarked.

William Gray khi còn ở chung cư thuộc phường Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, tháng 12/2024. Ảnh: Nhân vật cung cấp

While living in Tay Ho District, William’s daily commute across Long Bien Bridge forced him to endure the smell of burning plastic from trash fires, especially near construction sites. During rush hour, traffic congestion became a nightmare; the combination of exhaust fumes, gasoline, and acrid smoke made it difficult to breathe. His wife, a Hanoi native, suffered from frequent respiratory infections and a persistent cough regardless of the weather.

The family moved to a new urban area in Gia Lâm, hoping that being further from the city center would offer better air quality. However, the situation did not improve. Their health visibly deteriorated on days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached hazardous levels.

After much deliberation, they decided to say goodbye to Hanoi. This means William now has to fly to Hanoi several times a month to meet clients. In return, every morning in Hoi An, he breathes in the scent of pine and straw in the fresh air. On weekends, they take their children to the beach to play freely.
"I think the trade-off is worth it," he said.

William’s decision comes as Hanoi is frequently ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, with PM2.5 levels consistently at poor levels. It is estimated that over 40% of the city's population is exposed to PM2.5 concentrations double the national standard. Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease report noted that deaths attributed to PM2.5 exposure in Vietnam rose from over 26,000 in 1990 to 42,000 in 2015.

Sumeet Saksena, a senior fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu, who has studied Hanoi’s air pollution for 16 years, confirmed that environmental migration is a concerning reality. His research indicates that outdoor air pollution in Vietnam contributes to a reduction in average life expectancy by about 1.4 years.

Air pollution has become a health threat to children, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. "Some residents have decided to move due to poor air quality. Many others want to leave but cannot, primarily due to financial and social barriers," Saksena said.
He warned that if pollution persists, the migratory flow will strengthen, affecting foreign investment and the city's socio-economic development plans.

Tamara Hoffman, from South Africa, described her departure from Hanoi as heartbreaking because her friends and a decade of memories were tied to the city. She was forced to leave after two pneumonia diagnoses last year, which doctors attributed to pollution. She had to wear a mask or stay in rooms with air purifiers all day.

"It’s sad because in 2017, I left China for Vietnam hoping for fresher air. But once again, I have to leave for the same reason," Tamara said.
All nine of her close expat friends left Hanoi after starting families to protect their children's health. It took her over a year to finally decide to move to Ho Chi Minh City.

Since early 2025, Tamara has felt her life regain its meaning as she enjoys the sunshine, swimming pools, and outdoor sports. She has sold all her air purifiers and deleted her pollution-tracking apps. "My health has improved significantly," she noted.

However, not all foreigners choose to leave. Many families accept "living with pollution" by investing in advanced air purification systems for their homes, staying indoors when the AQI turns purple (very unhealthy), or choosing to live in green urban areas on the outskirts of the city.

Expert Sumeet Saksena emphasized that Hanoi needs to act more decisively and faster to reduce pollution. Plans to restrict fossil-fuel motorcycles in the city center by 2026, expand affordable electric transport, and improve public transit are steps in the right direction.
Additionally, waste management must crack down on spontaneous trash burning and upgrade collection systems.

"Urban planning must prioritize green spaces and ventilation corridors, combined with policies that support citizens in switching to clean vehicles. That is the only way for Hanoi to retain not just foreigners, but its own citizens as well," the expert concluded.

Source: vnepress.net