As the countdown to a historic ban on gas-powered motorcycles in the city centre entered its final two months, residents were still waiting for clear guidance on how to prepare. Now, that timeline has been thrown into question.
On May 11, 2026, the Hanoi People’s Council voted not to approve a resolution on the “Low-Emission Zone within Ring Road 1” plan.The move effectively puts on hold an earlier plan for phased restrictions on gas-powered motorcycles, beginning with commercial vehicles and privately owned bikes during designated hours before expanding to a wider ban.
As a result, it remains uncertain whether Hanoi can begin enforcing the planned restrictions from July 1 as previously outlined.
Insufficient information and supporting document
Before the proposal was submitted to the Hanoi People’s Council to discuss on May 11, Hanoi authorities were still struggling to reach a consensus on key measures under the resolution.
In April 2026, Hanoi submitted a draft proposal on a pilot Low Emission Zone, covering 11 streets in Hoan Kiem Ward instead of the entire Ring Road 1 area as outlined in the previous resolution.
Under the proposal, Hanoi would impose a complete ban on commercial gasoline-powered motorcycles (including those operating on ride-hailing platforms) within the low-emission zone, while privately owned gas-powered motorcycles would be restricted during designated hours. Passenger cars with fewer than 16 seats, buses, school transport vehicles, and trucks weighing under 3.5 tonnes would also be required to meet Level 4 emissions standards in order to enter the zone.
The city also planned to build multiple parking facilities for cars and motorcycles, along with electric charging stations around the low-emission zone. They also proposed financial incentives to support the transition to electric vehicles, covering up to 100% of conversion costs, capped at 20 million Vietnamese dong (about US$770).
On May 8, an official from a specialised department under Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment said to Tuoi Tre that the city would not move forward with plans to restrict privately owned vehicles during designated hours, while measures to ban commercial motorcycles from entering low-emission zones had yet to be finalised.
“Concerns were raised that such a ban could affect vulnerable groups, prompting authorities to review the proposal more carefully,” the official told Tuoi Tre.
According to Tran The Cuong, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council, the proposal was not approved because it did not yet meet the required documentation standards, lacking sufficient information and supporting documents for the city council to review and adopt the measure.
Can Hanoi effectively implement its plan by July 1?
The move does not mean Hanoi will delay or cancel its plan to phase out gasoline-powered motorcycles in low-emission zones in the near future. The City Council’s representative said the proposal’s disapproval at this session does not change the city’s roadmap to control fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the central area.
The City Council could still consider approving the proposal at the next session, ahead of its planned rollout on July 1.
Although authorities have not disclosed what “missing information” led to the proposal being withheld, analysts said when Hanoi unveiled the draft in April that the city still lacked a comprehensive policy framework, adequate infrastructure and ready-to-use enforcement tools to effectively restrict gasoline-powered motorcycles.
Bui Thi An, a former National Assembly delegate and director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development, said Hanoi should first introduce policies to support residents in switching to cleaner vehicles. She added that the city also needs to put in place sufficient supporting mechanisms and infrastructure before such restrictions can be implemented effectively.
On May 14, Hanoi announced proposed financial support for the transition from gasoline to electric vehicles.
Under the proposal, the city would subsidise up to 20% of the value of a replacement vehicle, capped at 5 million Vietnamese dong (about US$190), or offer public transport vouchers worth the same amount. For low-income households, Hanoi would cover up to 100% of the vehicle’s value, capped at 20 million Vietnamese dong (about US$770).
This is part of a draft resolution which the Hanoi People’s Committee is currently seeking public feedback on. After that, the proposal will need to be revised, finalised and submitted to the Hanoi People’s Council for approval before it can take effect.
But for residents, commuters and ride-hailing drivers who live and work in the area, the window is rapidly narrowing. With the plan now on hold, many still lack clear guidance or the financial and logistical support needed, or at least a clear timeline for when that transition will begin.
That leaves an even bigger question hanging over the city’s green transport ambitions: can Hanoi secure approval, finalise its policy framework and build the necessary support systems in time to meet its July 1 target?
For now, the roadmap remains unchanged. But with just weeks left before the planned rollout, whether the city can turn policy into reality remains far from certain.
