<p>This study investigated the characteristics of 17 trace elements in PM₁₀ collected from Thu Duc City—an administrative unit of the biggest city in southern Vietnam in two sampling stages (dry and rainy times). The levels of 17 elements measured in the dry and rainy seasons were 5.28 ± 1.57 and 4.81 ± 1.23&#xa0;ng/m³, respectively. The total trace elements accounted for 6.25–11.9% of PM₁₀. Rainfall and differing wind directions associated with different emission sources between the two seasons are likely the main factors causing variations in the concentrations and profiles of trace elements. The principal component analysis identified four potential sources of trace elements, including vehicle exhaust (41.7%), multi-industrial activities (30.4%), construction activities and cement production (12.9%), and natural sources (6.35%). Heavy metals pose moderate cancer for children when exposed to PM₁₀. Among the three primary exposure routes, oral ingestion was the main route that humans got exposed to heavy metals in PM₁₀. As &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cr &gt; Cu were the main contributors to non-carcinogenic risks, while As &gt; Cr were the major causes of carcinogenic risks. The findings revealed that measures should be implemented to reduce the emissions of these heavy metals and raise public awareness regarding PM₁₀ pollution.</p>