(VOVWORLD) - Hanoi is piloting an air quality forecasting and early warning system called HanoiAir. The AI-integrated app forecasts PM2.5 concentration levels up to 9 days in advance and is expected to become a crucial tool for air pollution alerts, helping citizens protect their health.
 Hanoi’s air quality is often rated “unhealthy” or “poor” |
Hanoi's air quality frequently falls within the "unhealthy" to "poor" range. Despite occasional rain, phenomena such as temperature inversions and prolonged high humidity can cause pollutants to accumulate near the ground.
Tran Nhat Le of Thanh Xuan ward, who has a sensitive respiratory system, regularly checks air pollution updates on official news channels. But the information is of limited accuracy and typically warns her only after pollution has reached a critical level. So Le said she was very excited to learn that Hanoi is testing an early forecasting system.
"Young people might not pay much attention right now, but when they become parents, such an app will become very important to them. It will measure the humidity, temperature, and air quality where you live, and provide forecasts and ways to improve air quality," said Le.
Many Hanoi residents have begun to pay closer attention to air quality and are waiting to see how effective the new app is.
"I hope the app will provide more detailed guidance about air quality. The more it can tell us, the better."
"If the app is useful, I’ll install it. When we go out, we’ll know what air quality to expect and prepare for it. The app should be updated hourly."
"I think it should be integrated into an existing app, like Zalo, for example. We use Zalo frequently for work, so if it were integrated as a daily notification, it would be more convenient."
 Hanoi’s residents hope the early forecasting system HanoiAir will become a practical and truly effective tool. (Gemini-generated image) |
The system was developed by the Smart Space Research Group (GEOI), using AI and input data from the Global Forecast System, along with population, land use, and emission data, and official PM2.5 figures collected by management agencies.
Le Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Environmental Management Division of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that after a year and a half of trial operations, the HanoiAir model has shown pretty good accuracy.
“HanoiAir allows air quality forecasting based on PM2.5 fine dust for nine consecutive days. It also shows good forecasting capabilities for PM2.5 fluctuation trends in some neighboring provinces. We hope the app will soon become an official system in Hanoi, giving people timely information so they can respond to air pollution," said Thuy.
HanoiAir is expected to provide a foundation for more advanced management models, such as establishing low-emission zones, regulating traffic based on pollution levels, and making air quality a key indicator in smart city management.