Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles from central Hanoi over pollution concerns
By aniruddha ghosal and hau dinh
Hanoi, Vietnam (AP) – Vietnam will prohibit motorcycle and fossil fuel cycloss at the heart of the capital, Hanoi, from July 2026, as part of a national effort to slow down air pollution, reported the state media.
The directive published by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applies to the area inside and along the main road surrounding the center of Hanoi. The local government was responsible for eliminating two-wheelers by the deadline.
Like the rest of Vietnam, motorcycles are the main mode of transport for most of the 8 million Hanoi residents. The city has nearly 7 million motorcycles and just over a million cars. But as income increases and more people go to private vehicles, traffic air pollution has become an increasing concern. Hanoi is often wrapped in thick smog, ranking among the most polluted cities in the world.
Vietnam also wants to pass fossil fuels to electric vehicles to reduce pollution and fight climate change. The manufacturer of local electric vehicles Vinfast leads the change by holding almost a fifth from the market share, according to the European Chamber of Commerce. But it still has only a small share of the two -wheeled market.
But many are concerned about the little clear plan to eliminate vehicles.
Nguyen Van Hung, 62, spent three decades to drive a motorcycle taxi in Hanoi, now working with Grab, a carpooling application widely used through Southeast Asia. He worries that the ban will reach the hardest working class. “This will affect people who rely on motorcycles to earn a living,” he said, pointing out births, commuters and carpooling services. “How can people just throw their vehicles?”
Others said the calendar was not realistic. Hoang Duy Dung, 32, office clerk working in the city center, said he was making a cleaner air but thinks it’s too early. “We need better public transport and more support before a big change.”
Central Hanoi houses a large part of the city’s commercial activity, including offices, government buildings and shopping centers.
A second phase, which should start in January 2028, will extend the ban in a larger area and include all two-wheelers with fossil fuel, while limiting certain petrol cars.
Other measures include upgrading of waste processing factories, the use of digital tools to monitor pollution and introduce more strict sanctions for offenders. The reporters could be rewarded for reporting environmental violations.
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