Creating breakthroughs through green transportation development.

The policy of achieving net zero emissions in the transportation sector is being implemented aggressively by the Ho Chi Minh City government, with a clear roadmap and prioritized resource allocation.

Charging station infrastructure is a crucial element in the transition of both public and private transportation to green transportation operations.

The policy of achieving net zero emissions in the transportation sector is being implemented vigorously by the Ho Chi Minh City government, with a clear roadmap and resource priorities. Along with promoting economic development, expanding the green transportation system is not only a mandatory requirement but also a breakthrough in improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Switch to environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 2,432 vehicles operating on its bus routes. Of these, 1,185 are electric buses and 182 are CNG-powered buses, accounting for over 56% of the total number of buses in operation. Thanks to the city's determination to transition to environmentally friendly public transportation, the conversion of gasoline-powered buses to electric buses accelerated in the first months of 2026, raising the percentage of electric buses from 40% to nearly 57%. The city will continue to tender for projects to convert to electric buses so that by 2030, the city's public transportation will consist entirely of clean, green energy buses.

According to Pham Ngoc Dung, Director of the Public Transport Management Center (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction), to control environmental pollution, the experience from developed industrial countries shows that the first mode of transportation to be converted is public transport (metro, buses), followed by commercial transport vehicles, and finally private vehicles. Not only buses, the city aims and has a roadmap to convert vehicles such as ride-hailing vehicles, delivery vehicles, and government vehicles to electric, low-emission vehicles.

According to statistics from the Department of Construction, over the past year, the city has announced 4,000 locations for battery swapping cabinets, of which approximately 1,200 have already been installed to meet the charging needs of electric motorcycles. The department also aims to complete the planning and announce 20,000 locations for battery swapping cabinets by the end of 2026.

As a civil servant at the Department of Construction, Mr. Ngoc Hai has been using an electric motorbike for nearly two years. Mr. Hai explains that using an electric motorbike supports the transportation sector's policy of zero net emissions and saves a considerable amount of money (on average, saving 70% compared to when he used a gasoline-powered motorbike). However, a major concern for most motorbike owners switching to electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure, such as public battery swapping stations or on-site charging systems.

According to statistics from the Department of Construction, over the past year, the city has announced 4,000 locations for battery swapping stations, of which approximately 1,200 have already been equipped to meet the charging needs of electric motorcycles. The department also aims to complete the planning and announce 20,000 locations for battery swapping stations by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, it is projected that by 2030, the city will have approximately 1.2 million electric motorcycles in circulation, requiring more than 25,000 public charging stations and battery swapping stations.

Implement the emissions reduction roadmap.

As the country's major economic center with 14 million inhabitants and a transportation system heavily reliant on private vehicles, Ho Chi Minh City is facing increasing pressure from traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City has over 11 million motorcycles and scooters subject to emissions testing. According to expert assessments, if emissions control is implemented rigorously, the city could reduce over 56,000 tons of carbon emissions and nearly 5,000 tons of hydrocarbons annually, significantly contributing to improved air quality.

VinBus has completed the conversion of all vehicles operating routes 33 and 150 in Ho Chi Minh City to electric buses. (Photo by HA MAI)

According to Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, in Vietnam, developing green transportation is not only a mandatory requirement but also a crucial breakthrough. It's not simply about applying technology, but a comprehensive revolution in institutions, human resources, national governance, and the impetus to build and develop a domestic industry capable of technological self-reliance. Mr. An believes that supporting infrastructure is the "key" to determining the success of the transformation roadmap.

In Ho Chi Minh City, several investors are currently installing electric vehicle charging stations and battery swapping cabinets for electric motorcycles to meet the green transition roadmap and develop a comprehensive network of charging and battery swapping stations. However, the issue of accessing charging station infrastructure for electric vehicles needs to be comprehensively addressed to ensure convenience for the public.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dam Hoang Phuc, a senior expert at UNDP, the core issue lies in the ecosystem, operating model, and especially the lack of a synchronized charging system to ensure the green transition reaches its goal quickly. Users need fast, flexible solutions instead of long waits at charging stations. Therefore, the charging model must be deeply distributed into residential areas and destination points, optimized for electric motorcycles and short journeys.

To implement the emission reduction roadmap in the transportation sector, Ho Chi Minh City is currently researching and finalizing financial support policies, including subsidies, credit incentives, and risk-sharing mechanisms for green vehicle investment projects. Along with the electric bus system, the operation of Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) will contribute to increasing the proportion of public transport and reducing pressure on private vehicles.

Regarding emission control, the Department of Construction recently requested that associations, manufacturing and importing businesses, and warranty and maintenance systems proactively review and upgrade their facilities to be ready to participate in the emission testing of motorcycles and scooters according to the new national technical standards, effective from June 30, 2026.

The city is also implementing Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in the city center, Can Gio area, and Con Dao Special Economic Zone (such as restricting the circulation of fossil fuel vehicles that do not meet emission standards from entering the central core, operating entirely on electric buses, etc.), while also studying restrictions on the circulation of certain types of private motor vehicles on certain routes for specific periods, ensuring compatibility with the capacity of the transportation infrastructure and public transport system.

Urban experts also recommend that Ho Chi Minh City, a megacity, should diversify its emission reduction strategies. The transition to a green transportation system requires a flexible combination of low-emission vehicle technologies, tailored to the specific characteristics of high-density urban traffic and the city's actual conditions.

Text and photos: QUY HIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tao-dot-pha-tu-phat-trien-giao-thong-xanh-post964658.html