Hanoi Plans Fossil-Fuel Motorbike Ban in Inner City by July 2026

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered Hanoi to ban all fossil fuel-powered motorbikes and mopeds within the city's inner Ring Road 1 starting July 1, 2026, as part of a comprehensive plan to combat severe air and water pollution. The directive, issued in July 2025, mandates drafting a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) plan by the third quarter of 2025, launching public awareness campaigns, and upgrading public transportation with electric buses and metro lines. By 2028, the ban will expand to include gas-powered private cars within Ring Roads 1 and 2, and by 2030, all personal fossil fuel vehicles will be restricted inside Ring Road 3. The government also plans to introduce financial incentives for companies producing electric vehicles and increase registration and parking fees for fossil fuel vehicles. This initiative aims to transform Hanoi into a low-emission city with a full shift toward electric vehicles and clean public transport within five years. Similar environmental concerns have led to e-scooter bans in some Dubai neighborhoods due to safety issues, highlighting a global trend toward regulating or restricting certain motorized vehicles to improve urban environments.