The Hanoi People's Committee has submitted a draft resolution to the City People's Council regarding regulations on Low Emission Zones (LEZ), clarifying the roadmap for restricting polluting vehicles under the 2024 Capital Law.
Hanoi authorities announced they will not apply an absolute ban on gasoline-powered motorbikes in the Ring Road 1 area starting from 2026 as previously proposed. Instead, the city plans to implement restrictions based on specific time slots, periods, and specific areas.
According to the draft, Low Emission Zones are established based on strict protection areas and emission restriction zones outlined in the Capital Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. These are areas that frequently experience traffic congestion with a Level of Service ranging from D to F, or have an Air Quality Index (AQI) below average for at least one recent year based on national and city monitoring data.
Within these zones, the city plans to apply a series of vehicle restrictions. Gasoline-powered motorbikes and mopeds will be banned from circulating during certain hours or in specific areas, depending on the approved and published plan. Commercial motorbike transport services operating on digital platforms (ride-hailing apps) will also be prohibited from operating within Low Emission Zones. Regarding automobiles, Hanoi aims to restrict and eventually ban vehicles that do not meet Level 4 emission standards from circulating in these zones, aligning with the green transition roadmap the city is promoting.
Alongside restrictive measures, the city has set a target that by 2030, all commercial motorbike transport vehicles must complete the transition to clean energy vehicles. For taxis, starting July 1, 2026, all newly purchased vehicles must use clean or green energy. From January 1, 2035, the People's Committee will decide on the scope, timing, and types of fossil fuel vehicles to be restricted on specific routes or lanes based on infrastructure conditions, traffic situations, and actual demand.
Hanoi is also tightening regulations on new registrations for fossil fuel vehicles. Old vehicles, upon reaching their circulation expiration date, will not be granted new controlled registrations, particularly regarding vehicles owned by organizations.
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