HANOI EYES SMART, CLEAN, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH LOW-EMISSION ZONE

The initiative is seen as a breakthrough not only to curb worsening air pollution in the city’s central areas but also to catalyse green transport transition, toward a smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable capital.

Urgent needs and a cautious roadmap

In recent years, air quality in Hanoi has deteriorated noticeably, particularly in the densely populated urban core where traffic volume is high and socio-economic activity is concentrated.

According to studies conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment between 2023 and 2025, the transport sector accounts for 25% of PM2.5 emissions citywide. However, emissions inventories indicate that within the inner city alone, traffic produces up to 59% of direct emissions, while road dust and construction activities 28%.

Notably, a 2025 quantitative study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) focusing on the Ring Road 1 area identified road transport as the largest source of fine particulate matter emissions. Motorcycles account for 43.4% of emissions, followed by buses at 30.7%, light-duty vehicles at 20.4%, and cars with fewer than nine seats at 5.5%.

Highlighting the significance of the LEZ initiative, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Pham Thi Thanh Mai stressed:

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This is a new and complex policy with far-reaching
impact on residents, business activities, and urban spatial organisation. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly define the scope, target groups, and implementation roadmap, develop feasible policy mechanisms and clarify
institutional responsibilities and coordination frameworks.

Ring Road 1 - Core central area of the capital

Ring Road 1 constitutes the core central area of the capital, home to numerous central and municipal administrative agencies, residential areas, historical sites, schools, hospitals, and vibrant commercial and service activities.

To ensure feasibility and balance environmental objectives with residents’ mobility, livelihoods, and economic development needs, the city has outlined a three-phase implementation roadmap.

1

Phase 1 (from July 1 to December 31, 2026)

Phase 1 will pilot the scheme in the core area of Hoan Kiem ward. Covering 0.5 sq.km with a perimeter of 3.5 km, the zone includes 11 surrounding streets, namely Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Bac, Hang Mam, Nguyen Huu Huan, and Ly Thai To; and is home to around 20,000 residents.

2

Phase 2 (from January 1 to December 31, 2027)

Phase 2 will expand the pilot area to include Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards. The coverage will increase to 3.6 sq.km, with a perimeter of 8.3 km, encompassing 14 boundary streets: Nguyen Du, Han Thuyen, Tran Hung Dao, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Hang Dau, Cua Dong, Ly Nam De, Ton That Thiep, Dien Bien Phu, Hang Bong, Cua Nam, and Le Duan. The affected population is estimated at approximately 136,947.

3

Phase 3 (from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2029)

Phase 3 will see the full rollout of the low-emission zone across the entire Ring Road 1 area. This zone spans 26.07 sq.km, with a perimeter of 25 km and a population of about 625,000. It covers nine wards enclosed by major routes, including Hoang Cau, De La Thanh, O Cho Dua, Xa Dan, Dai Co Viet, Tran Khat Chan, Nguyen Khoai, Tran Khanh Du, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Nhat Duat, Yen Phu, Nghi Tam, Au Co, An Duong Vuong, Lac Long Quan, Buoi, and Cau Giay.

Ensuring feasible transition in practice

To realise the objectives of the low-emission
zone, Hanoi is not only introducing administrative measures to curb private
vehicle use but is also prioritising the development of green transport
infrastructure, deploying smart monitoring technologies, and, notably, rolling
out practical financial support policies for residents.

Results from a public consultation involving residents and organisations in the proposed low-emission zone indicate broad support for the initiative. Respondents generally view it as a necessary step to improve air quality, while also calling for a clear implementation roadmap and adequate support mechanisms to ensure they can effectively adapt to the transition.

Field observations in the Old Quarter and the “core zone” of Hoan Kiem, where the pilot is expected to begin, indicate broad public support. Nguyen Thi Lan, a resident of Hang Bac street, said that no one wants to live in a polluted environment, making emission reduction both necessary and welcome. Her family, she noted, fully backs the initiative.

However, she also pointed out that daily mobility still relies heavily on motorcycles. If private vehicles are restricted before public transport becomes sufficiently convenient, particularly in the evenings or on weekends, residents’ daily lives could be adversely affected. In her view, an effective and reliable alternative transport system needs to be in place before stricter controls are enforced.

While a broad consensus has been observed, some respondents have also voiced concerns over safety during the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in light of several recent fire incidents involving EV batteries.

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Reducing emissions is an inevitable trend, but transitioning vehicles, meeting emission standards or shifting to electric vehicles requires substantial initial investment. Without a clear roadmap and sufficiently strong credit support packages, small businesses will find it difficult to keep pace.

Le Minh Tuan, representative of a small transport company in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

These practical insights indicate that while public support for emission reduction policies is clearly evident, it must be accompanied by “soft” policy design and a reasonable transition timeline. Expanding public transport, especially with electric buses and transit infrastructure, combined with financial support, favourable credit options, and clear implementation roadmaps, will be key to making the low-emission zone not just a good idea on paper but also a feasible policy, with active involvement from both citizens and businesses.

With a coordinated approach combining strong political commitment, a well-structured implementation roadmap, and people-centred support policies, the LEZ initiative within Ring Road 1 will create a fundamental shift. By 2030, Hanoi aims to reduce CO₂ and NO₂ emissions by around 30% and PM2.5 emissions from transport by 20% in the area, bringing the annual average PM2.5 concentration to below 40 µg/cu.m. This represents a strong commitment by the capital to protect public health, foster a more livable, green, clean, and sustainable urban environment, and contribute to national response to global climate change./.