Ho Chi Minh City plans to restrict high-emission vehicles from downtown in 2028

The measures are outlined in a draft resolution on green transport development and low-emission zones (LEZs), currently open for public feedback before being submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council for consideration.

Under the proposal, the city would establish its first LEZ on January 1, 2028, covering around 15.6 square kilometers, including the existing 930-hectare city center and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area across the Saigon River.

The pilot scheme would run until the end of 2029 before expanding to areas within Beltway No. 2 in 2030, depending on public transport coverage and infrastructure readiness.

The restrictions would be introduced gradually, meaning gasoline-powered vehicles would not be banned outright when the scheme begins.

Which vehicles would face restrictions?

During the initial phase, running from 2028 through 2029, taxis, contracted passenger vehicles with fewer than nine seats, and trucks carrying up to one metric ton would have to meet Level 5 emission standards to enter the designated zone.

Under Vietnam's national vehicle emission regulations, standards are classified into five levels, corresponding to Euro 1 through Euro 5. Level 5 is the strictest, imposing tighter limits on harmful pollutants released by vehicle engines.

Larger contracted vehicles and passenger buses would be required to meet Level 4 standards, while three-wheeled garbage collection vehicles would have to switch to cleaner energy sources.

From 2032, private cars entering the zone would need to meet Level 5 standards, while privately owned motorbikes and those not used for commercial transport would be subject to Level 4 requirements.

Vehicles that fail to meet the standards could face restricted access, with some permitted to enter only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day.

From 2030, motorbikes operating in the LEZ and the communes of Binh Khanh, An Thoi Dong, and Can Gio would have to meet at least Level 3 emission standards, rising to Level 4 in 2032.

From January 1, 2035, gasoline-powered motorbikes would be completely banned in these areas, while all vehicles would be required to use clean energy, except for certain specialized vehicles.

Con Dao Special Zone and Thanh An Commune would face the earliest transition deadline, with clean-energy vehicles becoming mandatory from January 1, 2028.

Elsewhere in Ho Chi Minh City, the restrictions would be introduced more gradually. Motorbikes would have to meet at least Level 2 emission standards from January 1, 2030, Level 3 from January 1, 2032, and Level 4 from January 1, 2035.

By January 1, 2040, all motorbikes across the city would be required to run on clean energy, with exemptions for specialized vehicles and those used by people with disabilities.

Notably, the draft resolution also proposes introducing fees for fossil fuel-powered vehicles entering the LEZ and restricted-emission areas in Binh Khanh, An Thoi Dong, and Can Gio from January 1, 2035.

Taxis, ride-hailing services to go green by 2030

Public transport and commercial vehicles would be among the first required to make the transition.

Under the proposed roadmap, intra-city buses would have to use clean energy from 2027, while newly purchased or replacement vehicles operated by state agencies and public institutions would face similar requirements.

The transition would extend to interprovincial buses managed by the city and three-wheeled garbage collection vehicles in 2028.

By 2030, all taxis, ride-hailing motorbikes, and motorbike delivery services would be required to switch to clean-energy vehicles.

To provide alternatives to private vehicles, the city aims to expand its bus network to 300 routes and develop seven metro lines totaling approximately 255 kilometers by 2030.

The plan also includes 11 park-and-ride facilities and a fleet of about 8,000 public bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric motorbikes.

Subsidies of up to $760 for electric motorbikes

To ensure the feasibility of the transition, Ho Chi Minh City is proposing a financial support package funded by the municipal budget through December 31, 2030, covering part of the cost of purchasing new vehicles, registration taxes, and license plate fees.

Subsidies would vary by location and beneficiary group, with priority given to island communities, poor and near-poor households, households recently lifted out of poverty, and ride-hailing drivers.

In Con Dao Special Zone, subsidies for clean-energy vehicles purchased before 2028 could exceed VND105 million ($3,990) for cars with fewer than nine seats and reach VND250 million ($9,500) for passenger vehicles with nine seats or more.

In urban areas, poor households switching to electric motorbikes could receive subsidies of up to VND20 million ($760) per vehicle.

The city also proposes covering the full cost of the first motorbike emissions inspection for permanent residents through December 31, 2028.

In addition to direct financial assistance, Ho Chi Minh City is considering waiving fees for the temporary use of approved road and sidewalk spaces for five years to facilitate the development of electric vehicle charging stations, battery-swapping facilities, and public electric bicycle and motorbike stations.