Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds in central Hanoi beginning in July 2026 to reduce air pollution. The decision, issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, applies to the region within and along the major ring road that surrounds Hanoi’s centre. Local governments are instructed to phase out these two-wheelers before the deadline.

Motorcycles remain the principal form of transportation for the majority of Hanoi’s 8 million citizens, with roughly 7 million motorcycles and more than a million cars on the road. Rising income has prompted more residents to switch to private vehicles, affecting the city’s air quality. Hanoi frequently experiences dense smog, ranking among the world’s most polluted cities.

The government intends to move to electric vehicles to minimise pollution and address climate change concerns. VinFast, Vietnam’s domestic EV manufacturer, has grown significantly in the electric vehicle sector but has only a small share of the two-wheeler market.

Meanwhile, many workers, especially motorcycle taxi drivers and delivery riders, are concerned about the ban’s impact on their livelihoods. 

A second phase will begin in January 2028, extending limits to more sites and vehicles while also imposing harsher environmental monitoring and fines.