The revised proposal was included in a supplementary submission by the Hanoi People's Committee to the city People's Council seeking approval for a resolution on establishing a low-emission zone within Ring Road 1.

Compared with earlier drafts, the new proposal removes the immediate ban on petrol motorcycles and replaces it with a phased roadmap that gradually restricts and manages higher-emission vehicles.

Previously, during a session on May 11, the Hanoi People's Council did not consider the proposal because supporting documentation and information were deemed insufficient for approval. The latest submission revises several provisions related to the geographical scope of the low-emission zone and traffic regulations within it.

Pilot phase around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

The first phase is expected to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, covering Hoan Kiem Ward.

The pilot area spans roughly 0.5 square kilometers and is home to approximately 20,000 residents. It is bounded by Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Bac, Hang Mam, Nguyen Huu Huan and Ly Thai To streets.

Within this area, all road vehicles - including cars, motorcycles and motorbikes - would be prohibited from entering between 7 p.m. and midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Outside those hours, restrictions would apply to specific categories of vehicles in a broader section of the Old Quarter enclosed by Trang Thi, Phung Hung, Hang Dau, Tran Nhat Duat, Tran Quang Khai, Trang Tien and Hang Khay streets.

Petrol-powered ride-hailing motorcycles would not be banned during this phase. Instead, authorities would encourage operators to limit their activities, while ride-hailing platforms would be asked to redirect vehicles and promote cleaner alternatives.

Private petrol motorcycles would also remain permitted. However, the city would encourage residents to switch to public transportation, non-motorized travel and clean-energy vehicles that comply with future emissions standards.

The proposal also places restrictions on larger vehicles. Buses, school transport and employee shuttle services would be exempt, but vehicles carrying more than 16 passengers would be restricted during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Any exceptions would require written approval from Hanoi police authorities.

Trucks weighing under two tonnes would be allowed only outside peak hours, while trucks weighing between two and 3.5 tonnes would be permitted between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless granted special permission.

Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes would be completely prohibited from entering the low-emission zone.

The city also plans to encourage school buses, public buses, employee transport vehicles and private cars to switch to clean-energy models or meet at least Euro 4-equivalent emissions standards.

Ride-hailing petrol motorcycles targeted from 2027

The second phase, scheduled from January 1 to December 31, 2027, would expand the low-emission zone to cover the entirety of Hoan Kiem Ward and Cua Nam Ward.

The expanded area would be bounded by Nguyen Du, Han Thuyen, Tran Hung Dao, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Hang Dau, Cua Dong, Ly Nam De, Ton That Thiep, Dien Bien Phu, Hang Bong, Cua Nam and Le Duan streets.

In addition to the first-phase measures, petrol-powered motorcycles and mopeds used for app-based transport services would be banned from operating within the pilot zone beginning in 2027.

Cars that fail to meet Euro 4-equivalent emissions standards would also be prohibited.

Expansion across Ring Road 1

The third phase would run from January 1, 2028, through the end of 2029, extending the low-emission zone to the entire area inside Ring Road 1.

The zone would encompass nine wards covering approximately 26 square kilometers and a population of around 625,000 residents.

Its boundaries would follow Hoang Cau, De La Thanh, O Cho Dua, Xa Dan, Dai Co Viet, Tran Khat Chan, Nguyen Khoai, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Yen Phu, Nghi Tam, Au Co, An Duong Vuong, Lac Long Quan, Buoi and Cau Giay roads.

During this phase, Hanoi would maintain all second-phase restrictions while introducing additional requirements for private motorcycles. Fossil-fuel-powered motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet Level 3 emissions standards would no longer be allowed to operate within the low-emission zone.

Rather than imposing an immediate blanket ban on petrol motorcycles, Hanoi has opted for a gradual strategy focused on reducing high-emission vehicles while encouraging a transition toward cleaner mobility in the city center.

Thanh Hue