Hanoi establishes first low-emission zone

According to the draft submission from the Hanoi People’s Committee on the Low Emission Zone project within Ring Road 1, Phase 1 (July 1 - December 31), the city will pilot a low emission zone in Hoan Kiem Ward.

Specifically, the low-emission zone will cover 11 streets in Hoan Kiem Ward, including 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 covers 0.5 km² with a perimeter of 3.5 km and a population of approximately 20,000 people.

Within the low-emission zone, gasoline-powered motorbikes will be banned from operating from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays, and from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Motorcycles and mopeds that run on gasoline and operate as ride-hailing or app-based transport services will also be prohibited.

Light-duty trucks under 2 tons that meet Euro 4 emission standards will only be allowed to operate outside peak hours. Trucks weighing from 2 to under 3.5 tons, also meeting Euro 4 standards, will be permitted to operate only from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day and must obtain written approval from the city police. Trucks over 3.5 tons will be banned from operating.

Passenger 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 must meet at least Euro 4 emission standards. These vehicles will be prohibited from circulating from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

Buses and school transport vehicles must meet at least Euro 4 emission standards. Passenger vehicles under 16 seats using fossil fuels must also comply with Euro 4 standards.

In Phase 2 (January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027), the city will expand the pilot low emission zone to Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards, including the core area of Hoan Kiem Ward established 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 (January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2029), the low-emission zone will be expanded to cover the entire area within Ring Road 1, spanning more than 26 km², with a perimeter of 25 km and a population of around 625,000. The Ring Road 1 area includes nine wards, bounded by major roads such as 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.

When implementing the low-emission zone, Hanoi is expected to introduce several measures, including developing green transport infrastructure and public transportation systems. These include electric and green energy-powered buses, urban rail systems, public bicycles, electric bicycles and electric motorbikes, charging stations, battery swapping stations, transit hubs, and other sustainable transport solutions.

At the same time, the city will develop a phased roadmap to gradually restrict fossil-fuel-powered vehicles while prioritizing clean-energy vehicles, public transport, and non-motorized mobility options.

Hanoi will also establish a monitoring and control system for vehicles entering and exiting the low emission zone through automatic license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, traffic signage, monitoring infrastructure, and a centralized traffic data management system.

In addition, the city will implement support policies for residents and businesses, encouraging the transition to clean-energy vehicles and increasing public transport use.

Under Resolution No. 57/2025/NQ-HĐND, starting July 1, Hanoi will pilot low-emission zones in several areas within Ring Road 1, covering nine wards: Hai Ba Trung, Cua Nam, Hoan Kiem, O Cho Dua, Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam, Ba Dinh, Giang Vo, Ngoc Ha, and Tay Ho.

Currently, Hanoi has approximately 6.9 million motorbikes, of which around 450,000 gasoline-powered motorbikes operate within Ring Road 1.