Hanoi Launches Pilot Low-Emission Zone in the City Centre
Starting 1 July, Hanoi has officially begun piloting its first Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) within Ring Road 1 as part of the city’s long-term strategy to improve air quality and encourage greener transportation.
The pilot, which will run until 31 December, covers two areas in Hoan Kiem Ward.
Zone 1 – including Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street, the Old Quarter, and the Weekend Night Market – will continue operating as a pedestrian zone. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7:00 PM to midnight, private cars and motorcycles will not be allowed to enter, with exemptions only for national defence and public security vehicles.
Zone 2 – surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake within the Ring Road 1 boundary – introduces restrictions on fossil fuel-powered passenger vehicles with more than 16 seats (excluding public and school buses). These vehicles are prohibited during peak hours (6:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–7:30 PM), and roadside stopping or parking is also restricted during these periods.
To make the transition easier, Hanoi has introduced several supporting measures:
Four dedicated pick-up and drop-off locations for large coaches.
Forty-four public bicycle stations with more than 450 bicycles.
Around 220 parking facilities, along with future park-and-ride hubs linked to buses and urban rail.
Another major incentive is free travel on subsidised public bus routes within Ring Road 1 from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, encouraging residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport.
The city has also strengthened traffic management through increased enforcement, additional surveillance cameras, and improved coordination between local authorities and police.
This initiative marks an important milestone in Hanoi’s journey toward cleaner air, more sustainable mobility, and a greener urban future. It will be interesting to see how the pilot performs and whether similar measures are expanded to other districts in the coming years.