Hà Nội’s Minh Khai Street is engulfed by haze. — VNS Photo Khoa Thư

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội’s air quality has remained at “very unhealthy” levels since Thursday, placing the capital at the top of the world’s most air polluted cities list.

As of 1.30pm on Friday, Hà Nội’s air quality index was recorded at 293 by tracking app AirVisual, meaning all people, regardless their age and physical conditions, can be affected.

Hà Nội’s public environmental tracking portal has reported similar results with Lý Thái Tổ in Hoàn Kiếm District, Đê La Thành, Ô Chợ Dừa in Đống Đa District and Nguyễn Chế Nghĩa in Thanh Xuân District among most polluted areas.

Meanwhile, due to extended school closures, many university students have not yet come back to Hà Nội, leading to the low traffic flow.

The soaring number of private vehicles and temperature inversion are, according to local authorities, a major factor for poor air quality in Hà Nội. However, many environmental experts have started raising doubts, saying there must be other pollutants.

Other Northern provinces like Hải Dương, Nam Định and Bắc Ninh have also chocked in filthy air with AQI recorded at hazardous levels of above 300. — VNS