Hello everyone, welcome to my Ho Chi Minh experience. As someone with asthma, long-term stays in cities with air pollution concerns like Ho Chi Minh are quite challenging for me. But this city is truly fascinating.

Street Sushi by the Main Road

During my recent visit to Ho Chi Minh, I had an experience you simply can't have in Japan – eating street sushi right beside a main road. With bikes buzzing by, I enjoyed tuna, horse mackerel, and sardines. It's a location you'd never experience in Japan.

The sushi itself was quite solid, and considering the price, it was a worthwhile experience. Given the cost, I actually found it quite good. As a fellow sushi chef, I have great respect for the dedication of craftsmen who continue making sushi in this environment every day.

Vietnam's Air Pollution – Actually Quite Serious

Now, let's get to the main topic. Air pollution in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi is actually quite severe. As someone with asthma, staying long-term in this air is honestly tough. But I love this city.

The numbers tell the story of how serious it is. Hanoi is the second most polluted city in Southeast Asia, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 46.9μg/m³. That's about five times the WHO recommended standard of 10μg/m³. At times, it becomes one of the most air-polluted cities in the world.

Ho Chi Minh's 2019 annual average PM2.5 concentration was 25.3μg/m³. That's more than double the WHO standard, with a trend of worsening year by year. No wonder it's tough for someone with asthma.

Revisit Intentions and Air Pollution Connection

Actually, recent surveys show that Vietnam sometimes ranks low in "countries I want to visit again" rankings. While reasons include encounters with scams or aggressive sales tactics, I believe air pollution is also a contributing factor.

Think about it. If you're on vacation and the air quality gives you a sore throat or makes your eyes irritated, you're less likely to think "I want to come back!" Perhaps the country has recognized that "this situation is problematic."

Finally Taking Action! Emission Regulations Starting in 2026

And now, the Vietnamese government is getting serious. Starting July 1, 2026, gasoline motorcycles will be completely banned from traveling within Hanoi's Ring Road 1.

You might wonder, "So what will everyone do?" The answer is converting to electric motorcycles. The regulations will expand in stages – to Ring Road 2 in 2028, and Ring Road 3 in 2030.

Ho Chi Minh is making similar moves, with Low Emission Zones (LEZ) being considered starting in 2026. For motorcycle taxis in the city, there are goals to convert 30% to electric bikes by the end of 2025, and 80% by the end of 2027. These are quite ambitious targets.

So, When Will Ho Chi Minh's Air Become Clean?

Honestly, it won't happen immediately. Even if regulations begin in Hanoi in 2026 and Ho Chi Minh starts moving at the same time, it will likely take several years to a decade for the air to actually become clean.

But the fact that action has started is itself a source of hope. Without any action, things would only get worse.

Conclusion: I Want to Live in a Clean Ho Chi Minh!

That's why my dream is to "live in Ho Chi Minh once the air pollution becomes clean." This city's charm is truly great. Sitting on cheap plastic chairs, drinking slightly lower-alcohol beer with ice, watching the vibrant cityscape – that quintessentially Southeast Asian atmosphere is simply the best.

Aside from the air pollution, this is a very attractive city to me. That's why I eagerly await the day when the air becomes clean.

Side Note: A Miraculous Encounter After Returning Home

Actually, the day after returning from my Vietnam trip, I was making sushi at the Sushikawa counter. A customer who happened to be a Ho Chi Minh enthusiast came in.

"I just got back from Ho Chi Minh."
"Really!? I absolutely love Ho Chi Minh too!"

The conversation got so lively that before I knew it, we'd even exchanged Instagram accounts (laughs). That atmosphere is just irresistible. The cheap plastic chairs, ice in the beer, the roar of motorcycles – all of it together, that's Vietnam.

Once the air becomes clean, I believe more people will discover this charm. I'm looking forward to that day.