Lawyer Nguyen Tien Lap, a member of NHQuang & Associates law office, throws his weight behind Hanoi’s motorbike traffic restriction plan but stresses the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of its necessity and potential impacts. He argues that the “motorbike headache” partly stems from public administration issues, making public consultation essential for a fair and effective policy. The root cause is urban planning, not motorbikes The Saigon Times: Hanoi has proposed a pilot motorbike traffic restriction plan in 12 inner-city districts, starting with Hoan Kiem District in 2025 and moving toward a full ban in the inner-city areas by 2030, following a 2017 resolution by the Hanoi City People’s Council. What do you think about this policy for Hanoi and other cities in Vietnam? Lawyer Nguyen Tien Lap: Vietnam is globally recognized for its reliance on motorbikes as the dominant mode of transportation. In response to growing traffic congestion, local authorities in major cities like Hanoi have introduced plans to restrict and eventually ban motorbike use. More recently, urban air pollution has added to the justification for such policy, with motorbikes being identified as a primary contributor. Logically, these moves seem all right and are supported by many people, including […]