Authorities in Vietnam's capital have unveiled a revised roadmap for restricting petrol-powered two-wheelers, adopting a more gradual approach to the implementation of restrictions in one of the world's largest two-wheeler cities.

In 2025, Hanoi's authorities announced plans to ban petrol-powered two-wheelers in parts of the capital's central districts from next month as part of efforts to address worsening air pollution.

The proposal faced opposition from major two-wheeler manufacturers, including Honda, amid concerns regarding the readiness of charging infrastructure and public transport. It also raised concerns among residents whose livelihoods depend on two-wheelers. The city has since revised its original plan and recently, introduced an alternative roadmap.

On July 1st, the city will begin a six-month pilot programme on 11 streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi. The trial will focus on encouraging residents to switch to cleaner vehicles through public awareness campaigns rather than strict enforcement, while authorities prepare the necessary infrastructure for the next stage.

Next year, the programme will expand to a 3.6-square-kilometre area covering the centre of Hanoi, including the French Quarter business district and the Old Quarter tourism area. petrol-powered ride-hailing two-wheelers will no longer be permitted, while authorities will begin testing two-wheeler emissions and deploying smart cameras to monitor vehicles.

In 2028, the restricted zone will expand to 26 square kilometres, with Ring Road 1 forming its perimeter. Only two-wheelers meeting Euro 3 emissions standards will be permitted to enter.

Unlike the previous plan, petrol-powered two-wheelers will continue to be allowed, provided they meet the minimum emissions standard, although an exception will apply to ride-hailing service operators.

The policy comes as Vietnam pursues broader efforts to reduce transport-related emissions. Since June, the country has begun replacing conventional petrol with E10 biofuel, a blend containing 10% ethanol, to reduce emissions and lessen reliance on imported petroleum products.

Hanoi experiences some of the world's highest levels of air pollution, driven by rapid economic growth, ineffective environmental controls, population growth, and an underdeveloped public transport network.

Vietnam is also entering a new phase of economic expansion, with the country's leadership targeting annual growth of at least 10% and increasing investment in infrastructure, including metro lines, bridges, and bus networks.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has become one of Southeast Asia's larger electric vehicle markets, with domestic manufacturer VinFast accounting for a significant share of sales.

In 2025, VinFast electric two-wheeler sales in Vietnam represented an almost sixfold increase compared with the previous year. The increase was partly associated with expectations surrounding the proposed restrictions in Hanoi. The company also offers a range of swappable-battery models intended to compete with petrol-powered two-wheelers. In March, 2026, VinFast received a large number of e-scooter orders in Vietnam, partly as the conflict in the Middle East prompted more consumers to switch to electric alternatives.

The planned restrictions have prompted competitors to adjust their electric vehicle strategies. Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer Honda brought forward the launch of new electric models and reduced prices to stimulate demand.

Hanoi has approximately 8 million two-wheelers operating on its streets each day, and authorities have projected that the metropolis's population could nearly double over the next two decades. The city currently has a population of more than 8 million people.