Is the air quality good in Ho Chi Minh City?
On September 10, 2025, at 10:00 PM PT, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is experiencing poor air quality due to urban emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI is over 130, classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
These conditions can cause respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities.
To stay safe during this temporary spike, limit outdoor time, seal windows, wear masks if venturing out, and use air purifiers indoors for cleaner breathing air.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Ho Chi Minh City ranked 5th among the most polluted cities in the world on Thursday noon, with nearby cities like Hanoi also affected.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Ho Chi Minh City.
It is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Ho Chi Minh City was 20.9 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 69, while today’s level has surged past 135, almost double the yearly average, pushing air quality into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range. This sharp rise highlights just how severe today’s pollution is compared to typical conditions.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ranked as the 5th most polluted major city on Sept 11, 2025. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Ho Chi Minh City?
Air quality in Ho Chi Minh City is usually forecasted to remain in the “good” and “moderate” range, but today levels have surged into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.
Hourly forecasts suggest that AQI may stay in this range into the evening before improving to “moderate” as winds pick up and help disperse pollutants.
However, long-term improvement will require sustained action to tackle the city’s major emission sources.
Hourly air quality forecast for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Sept 11, 2025. Source: IQAir.
Daily air quality forecast for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for last 30 days. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Sept 11, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City’s poor air quality is driven by several overlapping factors. Traffic emissions, especially from motorcycles, remain the biggest contributor, with authorities identifying road traffic as a key source of pollution (1).
Industrial, residential, and fuel-based sources such as fossil fuel burning, cooking smoke, and construction dust further elevate PM2.5 concentrations. Research also shows high levels of toxic chemical pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly near busy roads and urban centers (2).
In addition, weather conditions like low wind, high humidity, and temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, while periodic haze worsens visibility and health risks.