Vietnam Prohibits motorcycle and eating cycloss with fossil fuels in the heart of Hanoi from July 2026 in order to reduce air pollution, state media reported on Monday, slowing down the main mode of transport for many residents of the city.
Emitted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the directive applies to the area in the main road in the center of Hanoi, which houses a large part of the city’s commercial activity. The city has nearly 7 million motorcycles and one million cars.
Some residents say that this decision will have an impact disproportionately to low -income residents.
“This will affect people who rely on motorcycles to earn a living,” the Associated Associated Associated Associated Associated Associated Press. “How can people just throw their vehicles?”
Others said that the change calendar was too aggressive to have a financial meaning for residents.
“The life cycle of a car lasts several decades, not only a few years or a few months,” wrote Pham L’Anh, professor of economics, on his personal Facebook page. “The political roadmap must be announced long enough before being applied so that people can choose their mode of transport proactively.”
The Vietnamese government aims to replace motorcycles fueled by gas with electric vehicles in what it says is an effort to reduce pollution and fight climate change. The manufacturer of local electric vehicles Vinfast holds almost a fifth from the market share, according to the European Chamber of Commerce, but its share of the two -wheeled market is still low.
A second phase, which should start in January 2028, would expand the geographic area of the ban and include private gas cars.
Includes the reports of the Associated Press.