Hanoi proposes expanding low-emission zones, tightening vehicle restrictions from 2027

The Hanoi Department of Construction has proposed expanding the city's low-emission zone pilot in 2027, according to a report submitted to the municipal People's Committee.

The expansion, which forms the second phase of a pilot plan approved on June 29, 2026, would run from January 1 to December 31, 2027.

It would cover three areas in Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam Wards in central Hanoi, spanning approximately 5.7 square kilometers and home to nearly 247,000 residents.

The first zone, covering 0.45 square kilometers and about 20,000 residents, encompasses 12 streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter's pedestrian and night market areas, including Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Dao, and Hang Ngang.

The second zone would extend across 1.65 square kilometers, with around 90,000 residents, bounded by major streets including Trang Thi, Phung Hung, Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Nhat Duat, and Tran Quang Khai.

The third and largest zone would cover 3.6 square kilometers across Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam Wards, with nearly 137,000 residents. Its boundaries include Nguyen Du, Tran Hung Dao, Tran Quang Khai, Dien Bien Phu, and Le Duan Streets.

Stricter vehicle restrictions proposed

Under the proposal, all vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and mopeds, would be banned from the first zone between 7:00 pm and midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, except for authorized vehicles.

From January 1, 2027, cars entering low-emission zones would generally be required to meet at least Level 4 emission standards under QCVN 85:2025, while motorcycles and mopeds would have to meet Level 3 standards under QCVN 99:2025 from January 1, 2028.

The department also proposed banning fossil fuel-powered motorcycles and mopeds used for app-based transport services from operating within low-emission zones.

Ride-hailing and delivery platforms would be required to adjust their routing and dispatch systems to keep these vehicles out of restricted areas.

For privately owned vehicles, authorities would encourage residents to limit the use of motorcycles manufactured or imported before 2008 and mopeds manufactured or imported before 2016, while promoting public transport and cleaner alternatives.

Passenger vehicles with more than 16 seats, excluding buses and school transport vehicles, would have to meet Level 4 emission standards. In the first two zones, compliant vehicles would be restricted to off-peak hours unless they receive written approval from the Hanoi police.

Buses, school transport vehicles, cars with up to 16 seats, and pickup trucks would also have to meet Level 4 standards to enter the zones.

Fossil fuel-powered trucks weighing less than two metric tons would be allowed to operate only if they meet Level 4 standards, with peak-hour access requiring police approval.

Meanwhile, trucks with a gross vehicle weight of between two and 3.5 metric tons would be banned entirely from low-emission zones.

Priority vehicles would generally remain exempt from operating-hour restrictions, although emission requirements would still apply, except to vehicles managed by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

Hanoi officially launched its low-emission zone pilot on July 1, 2026, under a plan approved by the municipal People's Council.

Under the plan, all road vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and mopeds, are banned from the first zone between 7:00 pm and midnight every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The restricted area is bounded by 12 streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi's Old Quarter, including Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Bac, Hang Mam, Nguyen Huu Huan, Ly Thai To, and Ngo Quyen.