HCMC – Eleven streets in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Ward have been proposed for a pilot low-emission zone, where gasoline-powered motorbikes would be banned from 6 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.
According to a draft proposal by the Hanoi People’s Committee on a low-emission zone inside Beltway No. 1, the city would launch a pilot scheme in Hoan Kiem Ward during Phase 1, from July 1 to December 31.
The low-emission zone would be confined to 11 streets in Hoan Kiem Ward: Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Bac, Hang Mam, Nguyen Huu Huan and Ly Thai To.
The area spans 0.5 square kilometers, with a perimeter of 3.5 kilometers and a population of around 20,000.
Within the low-emission zone, gasoline-powered motorcycles for ride-hailing services would be banned. Private gasoline motorbikes would be prohibited from 6 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.
Trucks weighing less than 2 tonnes and meeting Level 4 emissions standards would only be allowed to operate during off-peak hours.
Trucks weighing between 2 and 3.5 tonnes that meet the same standards would be permitted to operate only from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day and would require written approval from city police. Trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes would be banned.
Vehicles with 16 seats or more, excluding buses and school transport vehicles, operating in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards would be required to meet Level 4 emissions standards. They would be barred from operating from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each day.
Buses and school transport vehicles would also need to comply with Level 4 emissions standards. Fossil fuel vehicles with fewer than 16 seats would be subject to the same requirement.
The city has designated Phase 2, from January 1 to December 31, 2027, to expand the pilot area to Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards, covering the Hoan Kiem core zone implemented in Phase 1 and 14 surrounding streets in Cua Nam Ward: Nguyen Du, Han Thuyen, Tran Hung Dao, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Hang Dau, Cua Dong, Ly Nam De, Ton That Thiep, Dien Bien Phu, Hang Bong, Cua Nam and Le Duan.
In Phase 3, from January 1, 2028 to December 31, 2029, the city would expand the low-emission zone to the entire Beltway 1 area, covering more than 26 square kilometres, with a perimeter of 25 kilometres and a population of 625,000. Ring Road 1 covers nine wards bounded by the roads Hoang Cau, De La Thanh, O Cho Dua, Xa Dan, Dai Co Viet, Tran Khat Chan, Nguyen Khoai, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Yen Phu, Nghi Tam, Au Co, An Duong Vuong, Lac Long Quan, Buoi and Cau Giay.
The low-emission zone plan is intended to implement Resolution No. 57/2025 of the city People’s Council on establishing low-emission zones, which sets a roadmap for implementation within Ring Road 1 from July 1, 2026.
