This study investigated the status, environmental health risks and assessed contaminant concentrations of flue gas and ambient air quality in traditional charcoal production kiln areas in Hau Giang province. In total, 284 charcoal producers, 160 charcoal workers, and 160 neighbors were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Additionally, the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from traditional kilns and ambient air samples were analyzed. The results showed that the average number of kilns owned by each charcoal producer was 3.13 kilns per household, of which the average volume of each kiln was 59.07 m3 kiln-1, with an annual charcoal yield of around 80.71 t kiln-1. The profitability of charcoal producers was annually approximately 133 million VND per household. Charcoal workers predominantly reported suffering from eye irritation issues (41.6 %), while adjacent neighbors frequently experienced respiratory problems (87.5 %). The interviewees obviously recognized the negative impacts of charcoal production activities on community health (63.1 % respondents) and local fruit production (79.4 % respondents), yet only the minority of residents (8.11 % respondents) required a change from the current charcoal-based livelihood. The CO, PM, and SO2 in flue gas compositions exceeded the maximum permissive levels of the National Technical Regulation on Industrial Emission of Inorganic Substances and Dusts (QCVN 19:2009/BTNMT), while the ambient quality of around charcoal production surpassed the maximum permissive level of PM and SO2 (QCVN 05:2013/BTNMT). This indicates a very high risk to those who are regularly exposed to air pollutants. The study suggested that technological solutions and responsible policies should be enforced to promote the sustainability of charcoal production and minimize the negative impacts on human health as well as the environment.