Hanoi’s air quality on January 21, three day before the first day of the Lunar New Year, worsened to levels that severely affect human health, according to the Hanoi Agency of Environmental Protection (AEP).

On January 21 afternoon, the AEP informed that Hanoi’s air quality index (AQI) measured at 10 monitoring stations in the city was in the range of from 111 to 163.

Data: AEP. Graphic: Anh Kiet

The AEP stressed that the AQI went orange and red in many areas, particularly Hang Dau (163), Minh Khai (159), Hoan Kiem (144), Kim Lien (123), Tan Mai (113), among others.

In the previous days, Hanoi's air quality had positive changes, with the AQI was mostly at the good and average levels at all ten monitoring stations. However, the readings recorded on January 21 increased.

Traffic flows intensify these days in Hanoi as people rush to shop typical items for Tet celebrations.

Data: AEP. Table: Anh Kiet