Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City plans low-emission zone to clear downtown air

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's bustling commercial center, is considering imposing a low-emission zone (LEZ) in its downtown area from mid-2027, according to state-run Thanh Nien newspaper. The proposed LEZ would initially target a 930-hectare (2,300-acre) area comprising the core downtown and the new Thu Thiem urban district, as reported by the newspaper, which cited city authorities.

The LEZ's scope is set to expand to an area encompassed by Ring Road 2 by early 2029, an already restricted zone that halts heavy trucks and sleeper buses from entering the inner city during specific hours.

The revised timeline for the LEZ's implementation is later than a previous proposal, which aimed to commence the initiative earlier this year. The adjustment in schedule aims to accommodate the launch of green transport infrastructure and provide residents and businesses more time to transition to vehicles that emit lower levels of pollutants.

Buses are the first group to face the LEZ requirements, mandated to operate using electricity or clean energy when entering the zone starting in 2027. Motorcycle-taxi drivers and delivery riders are next in line, with later deadlines for other categories like taxis. The proposal is yet to undergo further review before it can be formally approved.

Hanoi announced in June that it too plans to phase out petrol-powered ride-hailing motorbikes from low-emission zones, starting with voluntary restrictions and progressing to a ban from January 2027.