Hanoi launches low‑emission zone, offers free bus rides and subsidies for green vehicle conversion

The Hanoi People's Council approved a resolution that will take effect on 1 July 2026, establishing a low‑emission zone in the city’s Ring 1 (Vành đai 1). The plan includes free bus fares for all trips that start in Ring 1 and go to other districts from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027, and a broader fare‑waiver programme for special occasions through the end of 2030.

The council also set up a direct cash subsidy for poor households that replace a gasoline‑powered motorbike with a clean‑energy vehicle, offering up to VND 20 million per eligible person (one subsidy per vehicle). An estimated VND 1,045 billion will be allocated for the programme between 2026‑2030, covering direct subsidies, low‑interest loans and incentives for public‑transport use.

A pilot low‑emission area is being tested in Hoàn Kiếm wards from 1 July to 31 December 2026, restricting gasoline‑powered two‑wheelers during evening hours on weekends. The zone will expand to additional districts in 2027 and cover the entire Ring 1 by 2028, with a full ban on gasoline motorbikes that do not meet emission standards set for 2030.