This information was revealed by a representative from the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment at the “Green Energy - Clean City” Forum held on November 7.

An ambitious roadmap requiring strong commitment

At the forum organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Truong Manh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Environmental Quality Management Division, emphasized that air pollution has become a critical issue in Vietnam, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to recent monitoring data, the concentration of PM2.5 fine dust in Hanoi frequently exceeds the permissible limit of 25 µg/m³, sometimes reaching 40 µg/m³. Although Ho Chi Minh City has slightly lower pollution levels, the upward trend during the dry season remains a concern.

Key sources of emissions include traffic, construction, industrial production, and residential activities, with motorized vehicles being the leading cause that requires urgent control.

Le Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of Environmental Management at Hanoi’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the city is implementing its Air Quality Management Plan through 2030, with a vision to 2035. The focus is on controlling vehicle emissions.

Hanoi currently has over 8 million vehicles, with more than 7.7 million being motorbikes - making them the primary source of emissions in the city.

Ms. Thuy added that the city aims to develop a green public transportation system, phase out expired vehicles, strengthen emission testing, and enforce emission standards for motorbikes.

Under the plan, starting July 1, 2026, gasoline-powered motorbikes will be restricted from operating within Ring Road 1. By 2028, the ban will expand to Ring Road 2 and then to Ring Road 3 by 2030.

“This is a highly ambitious roadmap that requires strong political will and appropriate support policies to achieve carbon neutrality,” Ms. Thuy emphasized.

A representative from the Environment Department noted that the Ministry is finalizing a new National Technical Regulation on motor vehicle emissions, covering both cars and motorbikes.

Emission inspection and classification by vehicle age

According to the draft regulation, from January 1, 2027, all motorcycles and mopeds in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will need to undergo emissions testing at authorized centers. After this pilot phase, the policy will be expanded nationwide by 2030.

The roadmap also classifies emission standards by the age of vehicles:

Vehicles manufactured before 2008: Level 1 (most lenient)
Vehicles from 2008–2016: Level 2
Vehicles from 2017–2025: Level 3
Vehicles after 2026: Level 4 – the highest standard in the region

Emission standards in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be stricter, aligned with each locality’s air quality management strategy.

Challenges ahead in phasing out gasoline vehicles

To reduce emissions of fine dust and toxic gases from traffic, experts argue that a synchronized transition to cleaner fuels is essential - starting with E5 biofuel and electric vehicles.

Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, acknowledged that eliminating gasoline-powered vehicles in Hanoi before 2030 is a major challenge.

Currently, more than 95% of vehicles still rely on gasoline or diesel, while the first phase of the plan is less than a year away.

Mr. Bao pointed out that although cars now follow Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards, fuels sold on the market range from Euro 2 to Euro 5, limiting the effectiveness of emission control.

He proposed that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City lead the way by mandating the exclusive sale of Euro 5-compliant fuels, calling it the most practical and immediate solution to curb pollution.

“This is a simple measure that can be implemented right away to significantly reduce fine dust and harmful gases - no need to wait for complex policy roadmaps. Businesses can easily comply if given about three months’ notice,” Bao emphasized.

Vu Diep