Air purifiers on shelve at Media Mart in Hai Bà Trưng Street, Hà Nội. Demand for air purifiers are on the rise after Hà Nội's air quality has decreased seriously. — VNS Photo Thu Trà

HÀ NỘI – The serious air pollution in Hà Nội in recent weeks has prompted citizens to buy air purifiers to protect their health.

Air quality has become a hot topic in recent days after media reported the index of air pollution in Hà Nội has risen to a record high and in some areas has increased to unhealthy levels.

At big electronics supermarkets in the city, the number of people seeking air purifiers has increased sharply.

“In the past three weeks, the number of visitors to our store has risen five times,” Phạm Tiến Đạt, a salesman of Media Mart on Hai Bà Trưng Street, told Việt Nam News.

Most people have bought products priced between VNĐ3 million and VNĐ7 milion (US$130-300). The most popular products are foreign brands such as Japanese Sharp or South Korean Coway, Đạt said.

Though demand is rising, he said the store would keep prices stable and competitive, as well as ensuring abundant stock.

Many residents are worried about the bad air quality in the city.

“I’m very worried about the health of my family as Hà Nội’s air pollution has crossed the red levels recently,” Vũ Hồng Oanh, an office worker who has three children, said.

“I’ll buy an air purifier to protect my family before the intervention of the authorities.”

Popular air purifying products are from manufacturers including Sharp, Electrolux, Panasonic, Coway, Daikin or Tiross with price ranges of between VNĐ1 million and VNĐ10 million.

According to sales staff, customers should choose the product depending on the area of the room and models with additional functions including moisturising, catching mosquitoes and timers to avoid dry skin.

Not only air purifiers, other products such as water purifiers and masks are also in high demand.

Many people have sought to buy masks capable of filtering dust particles. Those masks cost from VNĐ40,000 to VNĐ500,000 ($1.7-21) apiece.

A shop on e-commerce platform Shopee told Việt Nam News that sales of its anti-pollution masks rose five times, averaging 3,000-5,000 sold per day. — VNS