Hanoi to spend US$32.5 million on treating pollution at craft villages

Hanoi will spend VND750 billion (US$32.2 million) on treating environmental pollution in 50 major craft villages in 2020, according to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.

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The sum is part of a plan to deal with environmental pollution in the city’s craft villages with total funding of VND1,350 billion (US$58.5 million) until 2030.

In the 2020-2030 period, another VND600 billion (US$26.03 million) will be invested in improving sanitation in 30 other craft villages.

The investment will be made as pollution in craft villages leaves severe impacts on people’s living environment and the villages’ sustainable development.

According to a survey conducted by the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 65 craft villages, sixty out of the 65 handicraft villages are suffering hygiene problems, only five meet environmental safety standards.

Specifically, water source in 40 craft villages is severely polluted while air in 12 villages and soil of other three are heavily contaminated.

Most craft villages in Hanoi have only been able to collect waste, without any means of treating emissions, solid waste and sewage.

The air sanitation is of great concern in villages that produce and process iron, steel and ceramics. Noise pollution is alarming in mechanical and textile villages. Solid waste is rampantly discharged, polluting soil and badly affecting the villages' landscape.