There will soon be a roadmap to ban gasoline-powered motorbikes from circulating in Hanoi's Ring Road 3.

The information was announced by a representative of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment at the "Green Energy - Clean City" Forum on November 7.

Ambitious roadmap, need determination

At the "Green Energy - Clean City" Forum organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Mr. Truong Manh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Quality Management (Department of Environment - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ), said that air pollution has become a current problem in Vietnam, especially in two large cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to monitoring data in recent years, the concentration of PM2.5 fine dust in Hanoi often exceeds the allowable standard (25 µg/m³), sometimes reaching up to 40 µg/m³. Meanwhile, although Ho Chi Minh City has a lower pollution level, the trend is still worrying as dust concentration increases during the dry months.

Emissions mainly come from vehicles, construction activities, industrial production and residential activities, of which motorized transport is considered a key factor that needs stronger control.

Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Environmental Management Department (Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment), said that the city is implementing the Air Quality Management Plan until 2030, with a vision to 2035, focusing on controlling emissions from traffic. Currently, Hanoi has more than 8 million motor vehicles, of which more than 7.7 million are motorbikes, which are the main source of emissions in the city.

Mrs. Le Thanh Thuy.

Ms. Le Thanh Thuy added that the city has set a goal of developing a green public transport system, while eliminating expired vehicles, increasing emission inspections and issuing emission standards for motorbikes.

According to the plan, from July 1, 2026, Hanoi will limit gasoline-powered motorbikes in the Ring Road 1 area, expanding the scope to Ring Road 2 in 2028 and moving towards Ring Road 3 in 2030.

“This is an ambitious roadmap, requiring high political determination and appropriate support policies to achieve the carbon neutrality goal,” Ms. Thuy emphasized.

A representative of the Department of Environment said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is completing the National Technical Regulation on emissions from road motor vehicles, applicable to both cars and motorbikes.

Motorbikes are considered a serious source of air pollution. Photo: V.Đ

According to the draft new regulations, from January 1, 2027, motorbikes and scooters will have to undergo emission testing at designated facilities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. After this pilot phase, the roadmap will be expanded to other localities, aiming for synchronous implementation nationwide by 2030.

The roadmap also classifies emission control levels according to the “age” of the vehicle. Specifically, vehicles manufactured before 2008: apply level 1 (most relaxed); Vehicles from 2008–2016: level 2; Vehicles from 2017–2025: level 3; Vehicles after 2026: level 4 – the highest standard currently in the region.

In large cities, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, emission standards will be tightened according to each locality's air quality management plan.

Challenges with the goal of eliminating gasoline vehicles

To reduce fine dust and toxic gas emissions from vehicles, experts say it is necessary to synchronously implement a roadmap to switch to cleaner fuels, first of all E5 biofuel and electric vehicles.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, said that the goal of eliminating gasoline vehicles in Hanoi before 2030 is a huge challenge. Currently, more than 95% of vehicles still use gasoline and oil, while the implementation of the first phase of the roadmap is less than a year away.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Bao. Photo: V.D

According to Mr. Bao, although cars have now applied Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards, fuel sold on the market still ranges from Euro 2 to Euro 5, which significantly limits the effectiveness of emission control.

Based on that reality, Mr. Bao recommended that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City should take the lead in selling only fuel that meets Euro 5 standards, considering this the most feasible and fastest solution to reduce air pollution.

“This is a simple measure that can be implemented immediately, helping to significantly reduce fine dust and toxic emissions without having to wait for complicated procedures. Businesses can completely respond if notified about three months in advance,” Mr. Bao emphasized.

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