Vietnam receives air quality monitoring station from South Korea

On March 10, VNUHCM - University of Science (HCMUS) held a launch and handover ceremony for an air quality monitoring station (AQMS) funded by the South Korean government for Vietnam, aiming to enhance the country's capacity to monitor and manage air quality in major urban areas.

The activity is part of the Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN (CASA) project, an initiative that supports ASEAN member states in improving air pollution management and mitigating negative impacts on public health. The project is funded by the ASEAN–ROK Cooperation Fund.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Le Quan, President of VNUHCM - HCMUS, emphasized that air pollution is currently an urgent environmental and public health issue. He noted that the CASA project in Vietnam plays an important role in addressing these challenges.

"As the lead implementing institution for the project, we are committed to operating the monitoring stations in accordance with technical procedures and ensuring quality throughout their operation and data management," Tran Le Quan said.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Le Quan added that the data collected will be integrated into the university's teaching and research programs to build professional capacity in air quality management. 

The university will also actively share research findings within the ASEAN network to help advance the region's sustainable development goals.

According to the organizers, the CASA project aims to help ASEAN countries address air pollution by strengthening monitoring systems, promoting scientific analysis, and enhancing environmental management capacity. 

Under the project, two AQMSs have been installed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to improve air quality monitoring and provide data for evidence-based environmental management.

Project representatives said the AQMSs in Vietnam is part of CASA's broader effort to expand and improve the effectiveness of air quality monitoring networks across ASEAN countries. 

In addition to providing equipment, the project also implements technical cooperation programs, data-sharing initiatives, and professional training to strengthen air quality management capacity at both national and regional levels.

Ms. Choi Sang Ah, Education Consul at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that air quality issues are not limited to a single country or region. Therefore, improving air quality requires close cooperation among nations, including accurate data sharing, collaborative research, and coordinated policies.