Ha Noi to pilot low-emission zone from July next year
VGP - From July 1, 2026, Ha Noi will implement time-based restrictions on gasoline motorbikes within the city's innermost Ring Road 1 zone.
This includes nine wards: Hai Ba Trung, Cua Nam, Hoan Kiem, O Cho Dua, Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam, Ba Dinh, Giang Vo, Ngoc Ha, and Tay Ho, according to the city's recently-issued Resolution.
The move comes as Ha Noi continues to struggle with hazardous air quality. The National Environmental Report for 2016–2020 found average PM2.5 concentrations nearly double national limits, while PM10 levels exceeded standards by 1.3 to 1.6 times. The city attributes 58–74 percent of emissions to road traffic, especially motorbikes, alongside dust from road surfaces.
From January 1, 2028, the low-emission zone will expand to encompass all of Ring Road 1 and selected parts of Ring Road 2. This will include 14 wards in total - nine from the initial phase and five additional ones: Lang, Dong Da, Kim Lien, Bach Mai, and Vinh Tuy.
By January 1, 2030, the program will be extended to the area within Ring Road 3, covering 36 wards and communes. In addition to the 14 already mentioned, 22 new areas will be included: Phu Thuong, Xuan Dinh, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Yen Hoa, Thanh Xuan, Khuong Dinh, Dinh Cong, Phuong Liet, Tuong Mai, Hoang Mai, Vinh Hung, Long Bien, Phuc Loi, Viet Hung, Bo De, Phu Dong, Dong Anh, Thu Lam, Phuc Thinh, Vinh Thanh, and Noi Bai.
Green transition requirements for vehicles
The resolution also sets forth green conversion targets for transport vehicles, including motorcycles and commercial vehicles. By 2030, all gasoline motorbikes should be phased out.
Beginning July 1, 2026, all newly invested or replaced taxi fleets must use clean or green energy vehicles that are environmentally friendly.
From January 1, 2035, the Ha Noi's People's Committee will determine restrictions on specific vehicle types, routes, road sections, lanes, directions, and timeframes depending on practical conditions.
Beyond limiting motorcycles and mopeds within low-emission zones based on specific hours or areas, the city will implement other measures, such as:
Prohibiting new investment in and registration of fossil fuel vehicles (especially those owned by organizations) once old vehicles are decommissioned.
Banning vehicles over 3.5 tons that run on fossil fuels from entering low-emission areas.
Ha Noi currently has more than 8 million registered vehicles, including 6.9 million motorbikes and 1.1 million cars, with an additional 1.2 million vehicles entering from other provinces on a regular basis./.
