The Vietnam Urban Association on November 8 made public its ten clean cities in Vietnam, however, Hanoi’s inclusion has raised eyebrows.

Vietnam to choose ten green cities

Clean streets still not people’s priority

The ten clean cities in Vietnam include Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Buon Ma Thuot, Da Lat, Hoa Binh, Hue city, Thai Nguyen, Son La, Vinh and Viet Tri.

However, many people commented on Dan Tri online newspaper that they felt ashamed of Hanoi.

“It is so funny! If Hanoi is recognised as a clean city, it is the same as Vedan’s award for products of community health. I’ve lived in many cities and Hanoi is the most untidy!” a reader named Luu Khanh wrote.

Another reader named Thu Van wrote: “I’ve been to many countries and many cities in Vietnam but I’ve never seen a dirty city like Hanoi. I was very ashamed when I guided foreign friends to tour Hanoi. In Hanoi, rubbish is discharged everywhere. The smell is very bad from its lakes and sewers.

Another reader named Vu Hung commented: “Is Hanoi clean? I’ve lived in Hanoi for 20 years but Hanoi today is so dirty compared to the past. Streets are dusty. Construction materials are everywhere. Busses discharge black smoke. Is Hanoi clean so Hanoian have to wear masks whenever they go on the streets?”

A student named Nguyen Ngoc Quynh from Ha Tinh province wrote: “I’ve studied in Hanoi for two years. I see Hanoi streets are very dirty, especially in Nhon, Co Nhue, Nguyen Trai, Giai Phong and Chuong Duong roads. Hanoi is among the top ten clean cities of Vietnam? This title should be reviewed”.

“It is ridiculous! I guess that the jury didn’t go along the Kim Nguu river or Road 32 but they only walked at the Ba Dinh square and honored Hanoi as the clean city. According to a foreign newspaper I read, Hanoi and HCM City are among the most ten polluted cities in the world,” wrote Le Nam Trung.

“This selection is funny. Hanoi and HCM City are the two largest un-clean cities in Vietnam,” reader Nguyen Long wrote.

“When I read the news ‘Hanoi one of the top ten cleanest cities 2009’, I thought that misread or there was a spelling mistake. Hanoians wear masks not to prevent H1N1 virus but to prevent dust. But the capital city is listed as one of the cleanest cities in Vietnam,” another reader commented.

“I don’t know what the criteria for choosing a clean city in Vietnam is but I confirm that Hanoi is not clean at all. Some street may be clean but not the entire city”, wrote reader named Phuong Duc.

Thanh Binh said: “It is ridiculous to have Hanoi and Thai Nguyen in that list. Many much cleaner cities like Vung Tau and Nha Trang were not included”.

“It is strange that Hanoi is among the top ten cleanest cities in Vietnam. It means that Vietnam has few clean cities. I witnessed a woman throwing a dead mouse onto Chan Cam street on Saturday morning. It is unacceptable! When will Hanoi fine people who discharge rubbish onto the street?” reader Huy Hoang asked.

VietNamNet/Dan Tri