Hanoi’s People’s Council has approved a resolution to establish low-emission zones in the capital city, with implementation divided into two phases.

Phase 1 (2025–2030): A pilot program for low-emission zones will be introduced in selected areas of Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts, encouraging other districts to follow suit.

Phase 2 (2031 onward): The resolution will expand to all areas meeting specific criteria for low-emission zones.

Residents and workers in these zones will require assistance to transition from fossil-fuel vehicles to clean energy and zero-emission transport. We invite readers, managers, and researchers to share their practical experiences, lessons learned, and innovative solutions to this critical issue.

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Hanoi currently has over 8 million motor vehicles. Photo: Anh Nguyen

Speaking to VietNamNet, National Assembly delegate Truong Xuan Cu expressed strong support for establishing low-emission zones. "Air pollution in Hanoi has reached alarming levels. Immediate action is necessary to safeguard public health," he said.

Delegate Cu highlighted the importance of emission checks for cars and motorbikes. Vehicles failing to meet emissions standards should be phased out, accompanied by subsidies for low-income individuals to purchase electric motorcycles.

The resolution passed by the Hanoi People’s Council, Cu noted, must be implemented with determination. He called on Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh district leaders to thoroughly assess areas where gasoline and diesel vehicles should be restricted or banned.

“If city leaders and departments avoid tough decisions, air pollution and traffic congestion will only worsen,” Cu added.

Cu recommended a phased approach, beginning with converting all public buses, taxis, and government vehicles to electric models. Only then, he said, should private gasoline- and diesel-powered cars and motorbikes face restrictions in low-emission zones.

“The ban on polluting vehicles in central Hanoi cannot be delayed further. However, humane policies, such as subsidies for low-income households and disadvantaged families to switch from gasoline to electric vehicles, must accompany this initiative,” Cu said.

Former National Assembly delegate Bui Thi An also supported the pilot program to ban polluting vehicles in parts of Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts. She stressed that the trial must not disrupt daily life for residents in these areas.

Hanoi must develop viable transport solutions for residents entering or leaving restricted zones, An explained. “If gasoline and diesel vehicles are banned, public transport must meet people’s needs. The city should also assist workers in purchasing electric vehicles,” she said.

The pollution crisis in Hanoi

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, air pollution has risen to concerning levels over the past decade, particularly in major cities like Hanoi. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the primary pollutant.

The Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment identified five major sources of air pollution: road vehicles (including road dust), industrial activities, residential energy use, biomass burning, and agriculture.

Department Director Le Thanh Nam reported that road traffic and road dust contribute 58–74% of local air pollution, depending on the time of year. Motorbikes account for the largest share of emissions, followed by taxis.

As of August 2024, Hanoi had over 8 million registered road vehicles, including nearly 1.13 million cars and over 6.9 million motorbikes. Of the motorbikes, 72.58% are over a decade old, significantly increasing emissions of harmful pollutants.

Quang Phong