Under a draft proposal on low-emission zones (LEZ) within Ring Road 1, the city plans to launch a pilot scheme from July 1, aiming to improve air quality, ease congestion, and accelerate the transition toward greener mobility.

In the initial phase, lasting through the end of the year, the pilot will cover a core area of approximately 0.5 sq.km in Hoan Kiem ward. The zone is bounded by key streets such as Trang Tien, Hang Khay, and Le Thai To, along with adjacent Old Quarter roads.

During peak hours on weekends, petrol-powered motorbikes will face traffic restrictions, specifically on Friday evenings and most of Saturday and Sunday. App-based ride services using petrol-powered motorbikes will also be subject to these measures.

Meanwhile, cars and trucks will still be permitted but must meet specific emission standards and comply with designated operating hours.

By 2027, the city plans to expand the zone to a wider area of around 3.6 sq.km, covering both Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards. The expanded LEZ would extend beyond the Old Quarter to include major transport corridors such as Tran Hung Dao, Dien Bien Phu, and Le Duan streets. This phase will follow a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot’s effectiveness to ensure policy adjustments align with practical conditions.

Between 2028 and 2029, Hanoi will scale up the low-emission zone to cover the entire area of Ring Road 1, spanning over 26 sq.km and home to approximately 625,000 residents. This marks a significant step in the city’s long-term strategy to gradually reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles, while prioritising electric mobility, public transport, and other sustainable travel options.

Alongside vehicle restrictions, Hanoi plans to invest heavily in green transport infrastructure, including electric buses, urban rail systems, public e-bikes and e-motorbikes, as well as charging and battery-swapping networks. Advanced monitoring systems, such as license plate recognition cameras, are also expected to be deployed to regulate vehicle access within designated zones.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, spans over 3,300 sq.km and is home to a population of approximately 10 million, making it one of the fastest-urbanising cities in the region. Alongside rapid economic growth and a rising number of private vehicles, the city has been facing mounting environmental challenges, particularly air pollution.

Emissions stem from multiple sources, with road transport, comprising millions of petrol-powered motorbikes and cars operating daily, identified as a major contributor to deteriorating air quality and public health risks. In recent years, Hanoi has frequently ranked among cities with high levels of air pollution globally, raising growing public concern.

In this context, the gradual restriction of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, coupled with the introduction of low-emission zones, is seen as a key step in the city’s broader efforts to improve environmental quality, promote sustainable mobility, and advance toward a greener and more balanced urban development model in the long term.

Vietnam to introduce motorcycle emissions testing from July 2027

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