Hanoi Proposes Expanding Low Emission Zone Pilot in 2027
Hanoi’s construction department has proposed expanding the low emission zone pilot to three areas in Hoàn Kiếm and Cửa Nam throughout 2027. The plan would restrict fossil fuel powered ride hailing motorcycles and cars that fail to meet emissions standards, and impose weekend evening traffic restrictions in the core area. It remains under review by the city government.
On November 13, Hanoi’s construction department submitted an assessment of the low emission zone pilot and a proposal to expand it to the municipal People’s Committee. The proposed expansion would cover three areas in Hoàn Kiếm and Cửa Nam from January 1 to December 31, 2027. The traffic restrictions remain proposals and have not been implemented.
A view of Hanoi.（VietVance）
The three proposed pilot areas cover 0.45, 1.65 and 3.6 square kilometers, respectively. Area 1 is the core zone around the Hoàn Kiếm pedestrian streets and night market, while Areas 2 and 3 extend into surrounding neighborhoods. Under the proposal, road vehicles, including motorcycles and cars, would be prohibited from Area 1 from 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Priority vehicles and vehicles with written permission from the competent authorities would be exempt.
The proposal would prohibit fossil fuel powered motorcycles and mopeds operating through app based platforms from entering the restricted areas, and require platforms to direct them around the areas through their dispatch software. For other fossil fuel powered two wheelers, it encourages reduced use of older vehicles and a shift to public transport, nonmotorized vehicles and green vehicles that meet emissions requirements.
For fossil fuel powered cars, the proposal would prohibit cars with 16 seats or fewer, pickup trucks and certain passenger vehicles that fail to meet Level 4 emissions standards. Passenger vehicles with more than 16 seats would generally be allowed to operate in Areas 1 and 2 only outside peak hours; travel during peak hours would require written approval from Hanoi police. Buses and school transport vehicles would be exempt from this time restriction but would still have to meet Level 4 emissions standards.
Fossil fuel powered trucks with a gross vehicle weight of less than 2 tonnes would also have to meet Level 4 emissions standards and would generally be allowed to operate only outside peak hours. Fossil fuel powered trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 2 to 3.5 tonnes would be prohibited entirely. Hanoi’s construction department also recommended allowing wards other than Hoàn Kiếm and Cửa Nam to explore pilot models suited to local conditions under the approved low emission zone plan.
Source: VietVance
