Ho Chi Minh City’s new Low Emission Zone will curb gasoline cars starting 2027, targeting busy central districts. Learn how the plan unfolds and what it means for commuters – read more now.
In a bid to improve air quality and accelerate the city’s green transition, Ho Chi Minh City officials have proposed a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) that will start restricting gasoline‑powered vehicles from early 2027.
What is the Low Emission Zone?
The LEZ is a designated area where only vehicles meeting certain emission standards are allowed to circulate freely. The proposal, released by the agency that drafted the city’s climate‑action plan, shifts the original rollout date back by one year to give priority to green projects on the islands of Côn Đảo and Cần Giờ.
Which districts are included?
The zone covers the most densely populated and traffic‑heavy parts of the city, specifically the historic central districts:
- District 1
- District 3
- District 5
- District 6
- District 8
- District 10
- District 11
- Bình Thạnh
- Tân Bình
- Tân Phú
- Phú Nhuận
The area is bounded by 17 major thoroughfares and 15 key bridges, creating a clear perimeter for enforcement.
Implementation timeline
2027: Starting in September, all motorbikes must pass a mandatory emissions test. Any motorcycle below Euro 2 (referred to locally as “Mức 2”) and any car below Euro 4 (“Mức 4”) will be barred from entering the LEZ.
2028: All gasoline‑powered motorbikes will be prohibited from the zone, with the sole exception of vehicles used by people with disabilities. Cars that do not meet Euro 4 standards will still be allowed during off‑peak hours, but will be banned from the core area during rush‑hour periods unless they fall under special‑vehicle categories.
Vehicle standards and exemptions
• Cars: Must comply with Euro 4 emissions (equivalent to Vietnam’s “Mức 4”). Non‑compliant cars can only travel outside peak‑hour windows and may be exempt if designated as emergency, public service, or other special‑use vehicles.
• Motorbikes: Must meet Euro 2 standards (local “Mức 2”). From 2028 onward, only motorcycles for disabled riders will be permitted inside the LEZ.
Enforcement technology
To ensure compliance, the city will install 58 fixed‑point cameras at major entry points and high‑traffic intersections between 2026 and 2032. After 2032, an additional network of roughly 200 ANPR (Automatic Number‑Plate Recognition) cameras will be deployed city‑wide, providing real‑time monitoring of vehicle movements.
Why the delay?
The original plan slated the LEZ for 2026. However, authorities decided to postpone the launch by a year to prioritize a “green shift” initiative on the coastal islands of Côn Đảo and Cần Giờ, where renewable‑energy projects and eco‑tourism are gaining momentum.
Ho Chi Minh City’s LEZ is part of a broader strategy to align the metropolis with international air‑quality standards while encouraging residents to adopt cleaner transportation options.