Vietnam to ban petrol and diesel motorcycles from Hanoi to tackle rising air pollution
Hanoi is set to change radically next year. Here’s how
- Hanoi will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds from its central ring road starting 1 July 2026, with a wider ban including petrol cars planned for January 2028.
- The directive, issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, aims to combat severe air pollution, which contributes to more than 60,000 deaths annually in Vietnam.
- City authorities are tasked with preparing for the transition, which includes encouraging a shift to electric vehicles, despite current limited adoption.
- The ban raises concerns among Hanoi residents, particularly those relying on motorcycles for income, who question the city's readiness and public transport infrastructure.
- Hanoi is the first major Vietnamese city to implement such a ban, aligning with a global trend seen in cities like Amsterdam and numerous European municipalities.