The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, covered by dense cloud in recent weeks, becoming the first in the list of the most polluted cities in the world as the government announced it would promote more electric vehicles to curb the problem.

Levels of dangerous particulate matter, known as PM2.5, in Hanoi were measured at 266 micrograms per cubic meter early this morning – the highest reading on the list of the most polluted cities, according to AirVisual, which provides independent information on air pollution worldwide through a mobile app.

The Southeast Asian country, a regional manufacturing hub with one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, has been reporting severe air pollution in its biggest cities for years, most notably Hanoi.

Dense cloud is mainly caused by traffic problemfrom the burning of waste and from industrial activities.

“We old people experience it very clearly when we suffer from respiratory problems that cause discomfort,” says Lu Mich Duc, a 64-year-old. “The situation seems to have worsened recently.”

But younger people are also complaining.

“At first I thought it was the fog … but then I found out that it’s actually fine dust that restricts my vision and makes me feel like it’s not healthy to breathe,” says 21-year-old student Nguyen Nih Huong.

Speaking at a meeting with transport ministry officials yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called for the transition to electric vehicles to be accelerated as part of efforts to reduce pollution, state media reported.

So far, Hanoi has set a goal of electrifying at least 50% of buses and 100% of taxis by 2030.

“This is the state’s responsibility to the citizens, and concrete actions should be taken in time,” Ha said, according to the Tien Phong newspaper.

The Natural Resources, Environment and Health ministries did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.