To reduce urban fine dust, simply sell Euro 5 fuel

Environmental protection efforts must not rely solely on businesses

Speaking at the “Green Energy - Clean City” Forum held in Hanoi, Dr. Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Viet Nam Petroleum Association, emphasized that when discussing emission reduction in the transportation sector, the first consideration should be the government’s mechanisms, policies, and orientations.

He stressed that environmental protection efforts should not come solely from businesses but must also originate from policymakers and consumers. Among these, businesses still play a crucial role as an indispensable link in the chain of emission reduction.

According to Dr. Bao, Viet Nam has long implemented strategies and solutions in the petroleum and environmental sectors. Prominent examples include the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 49/2011/QD-TTg, which set out a roadmap for applying emission standards for automobiles and motorcycles, and Decision No. 53/2012/QD-TTg on blending biofuels with traditional fuels.

However, he called these “suspended decisions” since the proposed roadmaps have not been realized as expected. Although the impacts of pollution, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have been widely discussed, there remains a lack of coordination between policy and practice, particularly regarding implementation measures and financial resources.

Taking Hanoi as an example, he said that under Decision 49, the city once switched its entire bus system to Euro 5-standard fuel during 2016–2017, significantly reducing emissions. However, by 2020–2021, when Euro 5 fuel prices rose far above Euro 2, the city reverted to Euro 3 due to limited funding.

“No matter how correct a policy may be, without a solid foundation of regulatory and financial support, implementation will inevitably encounter obstacles,” Dr. Bao said.

He also cited another example: the ambition to eliminate fossil-fueled motorcycles (gasoline-powered) by 2026, while currently, 95% of motorcycles still run on gasoline and less than a month remains before 2026 begins. Looking further to 2030, the roadmap includes several ambitious targets. According to Dr. Bao, while these are commendable, they are unlikely to be achieved without comprehensive measures addressing mechanisms, infrastructure, finance, and consumer habits.

Euro 5 fuel – an effective solution to reduce fine dust

Dr. Bao noted that many organizations are now involved in ensuring national energy security across coal, gas, and electricity. However, in fossil fuel reduction programs, the government has yet to issue clear guidance. On the contrary, development plans for 2030–2035 still aim to achieve growth to guarantee energy security. “So where will our reduction efforts come from?” he asked.

He argued that the focus should be on achieving carbon balance, or Net Zero, meaning fossil fuels can still be used at a reasonable level, accompanied by carbon offset mechanisms through certification or emission-reduction technologies. “Nothing is free, and the environment is no exception, every change comes at a cost,” he emphasized.

He cited the case of Ho Chi Minh City, where Petrolimex, the country’s largest fuel supplier, has completely transitioned to selling Euro 5 fuel. Immediately afterward, the company faced public questions: “Why stop selling regular, affordable fuels used by most people and replace them with a premium product?”

This, he said, shows that even when businesses voluntarily adopt higher environmental standards, they must still justify their decisions and balance social interests. “As a state-owned enterprise, we had to explain clearly why we stopped selling cheaper Euro 2 and Euro 3 fuels and switched to Euro 5. Every decision must have a solid rationale, it cannot simply be ‘for a cleaner environment,’” Dr. Bao explained.

Viet Nam has already imposed strict emission standards for vehicles. Since 2017, domestically assembled automobiles must meet Euro 4 standards, and from 2022, all imported or newly manufactured vehicles must comply with Euro 5. However, to meet these standards, compatible fuel is essential. Meanwhile, Viet Nam still allows multiple fuel types, from Euro 2 to Euro 5, to be used simultaneously, leaving consumers confused and often unaware of which fuel their vehicles are using.

Similarly, for motorcycles, applying Euro 2, 3, and 4 in parallel is impractical. When higher-standard vehicles still run on lower-quality fuel, emission reduction goals cannot be achieved. “Policies must be clear and consistent. Only one highest standard, such as Euro 5, should be applied if we truly want to protect the environment,” Dr. Bao stressed.

He proposed: “In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other major urban areas, it is entirely possible to significantly reduce fine dust simply by allowing the sale of Euro 5 fuel only. If implemented, emission levels would drop markedly without needing a complicated roadmap. Just give businesses three months’ notice, they can easily comply since most fuel is imported.”

The Chairman of the Viet Nam Petroleum Association emphasized that many solutions already exist within the Prime Minister’s decisions; the key is to clearly define implementation timelines rather than focusing solely on restricting vehicle movement within certain zones (zones 1, 2, and 3), which often create unnecessary complications.

He therefore called on government agencies and research institutes to conduct thorough practical assessments and propose feasible policies that align with Viet Nam’s green development and sustainable energy transition goals in the coming years.

Dr. Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Viet Nam Petroleum Association, emphasized: “In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other major cities, we can significantly reduce fine dust with one very simple measure, requiring that only Euro 5 fuel be sold.”