The authorities will prohibit the downtown petrol motorcycle next July, in order to combat pollution. A shock for millions of users.
To combat pollution, Vietnam intends to ban the petrol motorcycle in the center of Hanoi from July 2026, a shock decision for many residents of the capital to millions of scooters. Two-wheelers are inseparable from any postcard of the country, although noisy and sometimes little regard to the rules of conduct.
It is not uncommon for a Vietnamese family to have at least two scooters, privileged for their lower cost than that of a car, and their maneuverability, in often bottled cities. However, many inhabitants of Hanoi are preparing to say goodbye to their faithful mechanical companion.
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A 30 km² zone
A directive of the Prime Minister published in mid-July has established the ban on fossil fuel two-wheelers in the center of the capital from July 1, 2026. The area concerned includes, over 30 square kilometers, the historic heart of the city, around the western lakes and Hoan Kiem, popular with tourists, where some 600,000 people reside.
But it must gradually expand in the following years, according to the plan proposed by the power, which plans to incorporate petrol cars in 2028.
No recharge
Dang Thuy Hanh’s family needs at least 80 million dongs (2,600 euros) to buy electric scooters, a “huge” amount, concedes this 52 -year -old housewife.
“Of course everyone wants a cleaner environment, but why inflict this burden without any preparation?”she was surprised, like other inhabitants, who say they are shocked.
His family lives in a narrow alley, typical of Vietnam, without any place to recharge an electric motorcycle, and the public transport system “is not yet suitable”, she complains. Hanoi is regularly cited among the most polluted capitals in the world.
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“We need drastic measures”
The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture assured that more than half of air pollution came from some seven million two -wheelers and the million cars -which operate the vast majority with a heat engine -in the megalopolis.
“Pollution directly threatens the environment, quality of life and the health of the inhabitants in the capital”repeated in mid-July the deputy mayor Duong Duke Tuan. “We need drastic measures to solve the problem,” he said. Air pollution kills around 70,000 Vietnamese each year, noted the World Health Organization in 2024.
A 2022 report from the World Bank listed industrial and agricultural emissions, as well as the burning of waste as other main sources of PM 2.5 microparticles in Hanoi.
Low emission zones
The organization has advised the strengthening of technical controls, the creation of low-emission zones in the city center, as well as the promotion of public transport among its measures intended to reduce pollution linked to transport.
Today, Hanoi has only two metro lines, which mainly serve his suburbs. Those who “Live and work on the road”like Tran van Tan, share misunderstanding.
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“The lifespan of batteries will not meet the needs for long distance journeys. The cost to switch to an electric motorcycle is simply too high ”explains this delivery man, a popular application for delivery of meals and transport.
“Those with low incomes (like us) cannot replace their motorcycles like that”continues the one who performs 40 kilometers a day from the outskirts of Hanoi where he lives, in the city center.
Conversion
Hanoi authorities have assured working on several measures, including three million dongs per vehicle (100 euros) to convert to electric.
Other cities in Vietnam would like to set up similar plans, such as Ho Chi Minh-Ville (South). The country, of which the national manufacturer Vinfast is a specialist in electricity, is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. But in Hanoi, the population is always circumspect.
“Residents cannot still bear the cost of change”Protests Nguyen My Hoa, a 42 -year -old office worker, who predicts. “The authorities will not be able to stop the many petrol motorcycles”.