Vietnam to Ban Petrol Scooters in Hanoi to Tackle Air Pollution

Vietnam is set to introduce a major environmental reform by banning petrol-powered scooters in central Hanoi from July 2026.

The bold move is aimed at curbing the country’s growing air pollution crisis but has sparked concern among residents who heavily rely on these affordable vehicles for daily transport.

Scooters are an iconic part of Vietnamese culture, often featured in postcards and travel imagery. With millions in circulation across Hanoi, these two-wheelers are a staple of everyday life, especially in the capital’s narrow, congested streets.

Their low cost and ease of movement make them a practical alternative to cars, and most families own at least two.

However, a recent directive from the Prime Minister, issued in mid-July, mandates a complete ban on fuel-powered scooters in central Hanoi starting 1 July 2026.

The initial phase of the ban will cover a 30-square-kilometre area, including the historic city center and the popular tourist zones around West Lake and Hoan Kiem Lake, home to nearly 600,000 residents. The government plans to gradually expand the restricted zone and extend the ban to petrol-powered cars by 2028.

For many locals, the financial burden of transitioning to electric scooters is daunting. A typical household like that of Dang Thuy Han, a 52-year-old homemaker, would need around 80 million dong (approximately £2,400) to make the switch.

Speaking to AFP, she expressed frustration at the lack of preparation, echoing the sentiments of many others who feel the shift is being forced upon them without adequate infrastructure or support.

Living in a typical narrow alleyway, Han’s family has no accessible charging station for electric vehicles, and she notes that the city’s public transport system remains underdeveloped. Despite recent improvements, Hanoi still only has two operational metro lines, mainly serving outlying districts.

Hanoi is consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted capitals. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture, over half of the city’s air pollution is caused by approximately seven million motorbikes and one million cars, most of which run on internal combustion engines.