Japan will help Vietnam find solutions to worsening noise levels at airports, such was the target of the workshop held by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Hanoi on November 29.
Participants attend the workshop. Source: Civil Aviation Authority
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According to the figures from the MoT’s Institute of Transport Science and Technology, noise levels in the vicinity of Vietnamese airports are about 48 – 71dB.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends humans should not be exposed to more than 45dB and 40dB of day-time and night-time aircraft noise, respectively. It could affect their physical and mental health.
Currently, national noise standards have adjusted the permitted noise levels in general, which are insufficient and inaccurate for airports, according to the workshop.
Solutions for Vietnam
Experts suggest Vietnam consult measures that Japan recommended to deal with noise, including reducing noise at source (improving aircraft’s quality and flight operation measures, reducing taking-off and landing activities at night), upgrading airports’ structure (relocating runways, building runways at sea), and implementing environmental measures around airports (completing public facilities, building sound-proofing houses, creating “green” buffer zones).
On the other hand, Vietnam should quickly complete the construction of the noise models to assess the exposure to aircraft noise and specify affected areas to ensure people’s health.
Finally, the Civil Aviation Authority should align local noise standards with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the WHO’s and the Vietnamese government’s mandatory procedures.
