Indicator-based assessment of environmental sustainability of a metalware handicraft village in Hanoi, Vietnam

This research was conducted to assess the environmental sustainability of a metalware handicraft village in Hanoi, Vietnam using 17 indicators of 4 components (Environmental systems -S1, reducing environmental stresses -S2, reducing human vulnerability -S3, and social institutional capacity -S4).All indicators were quantified on a scale of 0-1, reflecting a range from low to high sustainability.A combination of soil and water analysis, and a social survey of 67 local households were conducted.The results show that the number of water samples exceeding the allowable limits for wastewater (QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT, Column B), domestic water (QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT), groundwater (QCVN 09:2023/BTNMT), and surface water (QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT, Column B) was 13/14 (NH4 + ), 9/14 (COD), 8/14 (BOD5), 4/14 (PO4 3-), 5/14 (Fe), and 6/14 (Mn).The concentrations of heavy metals in soil were within acceptable limits for agricultural soil (QCVN 03:2023/BTNMT).The social survey results present high percentages of households dissatisfaction with the quality of air (43%) and water (74.5%), which were also perceived to negatively impact on human health by 67% and 81% of respondents, respectively.The environmental sustainability of the study area is 0.38 (low sustainability) with the following order: S3 (0.25) < S2 (0.26) < S4 (0.44) < S1 (0.57).Solutions on management, policy, and technology are proposed for ensuring environmental sustainability of the metalware handicraft village.