Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is set to ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds within its central Ring Road 1 starting July 2026, a directive from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh aimed at tackling severe air pollution. With nearly 7 million motorcycles dominating transport for Hanoi’s 8 million residents, the city frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted, with traffic-related particulate matter contributing 20–60% to air quality degradation. This policy targets the urban core, including the historic Old Quarter, and is part of a broader national strategy to curb emissions, with plans to expand restrictions to cars by 2028 and all fossil-fuel vehicles within Ring Road 3 by 2030.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is central to Vietnam’s strategy, with local manufacturer VinFast leading the charge, holding nearly 20% of the EV market. However, VinFast’s share of the two-wheeler market remains small, and the ban raises concerns about infrastructure readiness. Hanoi currently has only 31 emission testing centers for 5.6 million motorcycles, highlighting a gap in supporting a rapid shift to EVs. The government is incentivizing clean-energy vehicles and plans to pilot low-emission zones in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts by 2030..
This policy poses challenges for researchers studying urban air quality and sustainable transport. The ban’s success hinges on expanding charging infrastructure and battery-swapping services, as well as public acceptance, particularly among low-income residents reliant on motorcycles for livelihoods. Laboratory scientists could contribute by developing advanced air quality monitoring systems or efficient EV batteries to support Vietnam’s goals
Hanoi’s initiative could serve as a model for other rapidly urbanizing cities, provided it addresses infrastructure and equity concerns. Collaborative research on emissions reduction and EV adoption will be critical to ensuring this transition improves air quality without disrupting the socio-economic fabric of the city.
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