Hanoi "locks in" banning and restricting many types of vehicles in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh

Highly polluting petrol-powered vehicles are banned or restricted from entering low emission zones.

On the morning of December 12, with the majority of delegates in favor, the Hanoi People's Council passed the Resolution on Regulations on the implementation of low emission zones in the city. The Resolution takes effect from January 1, 2025. Pilot in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts According to the resolution, low emission zones belong to strictly protected areas and emission-limited areas identified in the Capital Planning to 2030 with a vision to 2050. Areas with frequent traffic congestion from level D to F according to Vietnamese standards. In addition, the criteria for determining low emission zones also include the average annual air quality assessed in at least one recent year not meeting national technical standards on air quality for key parameters such as SO2, NO2, total suspended dust TSP; PM10 dust, PM2.5 dust.

Delegates of Hanoi People's Council press the button to pass the resolution (Photo: Contributor).

District-level People's Committees are assigned to develop low-emission zone projects that are suitable to the characteristics and capacity of the locality. According to the resolution, vehicles that do not emit exhaust gases, environmentally friendly motor vehicles, motor vehicles using clean energy, green energy, environmentally friendly, priority vehicles and vehicles with circulation permits from competent authorities are allowed to circulate in low-emission zones. Hanoi prohibits the circulation of heavy trucks running on diesel in low-emission zones. In addition, it restricts or prohibits cars that do not meet level 4 emission standards and motorbikes and scooters that do not meet level 2 standards from circulating in low-emission zones according to time frames/points or areas. The resolution also stipulates that the city proposes to issue fees and charges for road motor vehicles with emissions circulating in low-emission zones. At the same time, there are policies to support those living and working in low-emission zones, organizations and businesses to convert vehicles using fossil fuels to clean energy and zero-emission vehicles. Regarding the roadmap for implementing low-emission zones, from 2025 to 2030, Hanoi will pilot the establishment of low-emission zones in an area in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts; and encourage localities to establish low-emission zones. From 2031 onwards, areas in Hanoi that meet the prescribed criteria must implement low-emission zones. Content with great impact Previously, when examining this content, the Urban Committee of the Hanoi People's Council said that this is a large content, with complex professional and specialized factors, and has a great impact on socio-economic development, businesses, organizations and people. This agency proposed that it is necessary to consider and evaluate carefully, as well as be comprehensive and oriented.

Polluting vehicles will be banned or restricted from entering low emission zones (Photo: Manh Quan).

The Hanoi People's Committee said it has directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Transport, Planning and Architecture, and Justice to draft the resolution. In addition, Hanoi has organized professional seminars to seek opinions from experts and scientists in the fields of transport, environment, and the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities. At the same time, Hanoi has posted the draft resolution on the city's electronic information portal to widely collect opinions and suggestions from the community. The Party Executive Committee of the Hanoi People's Committee has also agreed on the policy as in the draft resolution. By August, Hanoi had more than 8 million road vehicles, including more than 1.1 million cars and more than 6.9 million motorbikes. The leader of the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that the number of motorbikes used for more than 10 years, accounting for 72.58%, will increase the level of toxic emissions into the air if old vehicles are not maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

People are supported to convert old, polluting motorbikes Regarding low-emission zones, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh said that after the City People's Council passed a resolution on this issue, the authorities will study options with vehicle manufacturers to have a plan to reduce gasoline-powered vehicles into low-emission zones. According to Mr. Thanh, the city will study options such as price reduction, exchange of old vehicles, support for exchange of old vehicles, support for loans to buy new vehicles... so that people can basically convert old, polluting motorbikes to electric vehicles... Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/ha-noi-chot-cam-han-che-nhieu-loai-phuong-tien-o-hoan-kiem-va-ba-dinh-20241212094948228.htm