The restriction is in a proposed transport emissions control plan that HCMC Department of Construction has sent to relevant agencies for feedback.

The plan adjusts the scope and some implementation milestones in an earlier study amid development of its green transport infrastructure and the public being given more time for preparations.

The study had suggested implementation in early 2026, but it remains on paper.

Under the new proposal, the city will trial the zone from July 2027 in an area bounded by the Saigon Bridge, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Van Thanh 2 Bridge, Thi Nghe 2 Bridge, Hoang Sa, Vo Thi Sau, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Vo Van Kiet streets, the Saigon River Tunnel, and Tran Quy Kien, Mai Chi Tho, Luong Dinh Cua, and Tran Nao streets.

The area spreads over 16.6 square kilometers, is home to more than 176,200 people, and has enormous transportation demand and emissions.

Traffic congestion on Saigon Bridge heading towards the city center of Ho Chi Minh City, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Public transport covers about 96% of it, evidently good for creating the zone since people have alternatives to private vehicles, according to the department.

The trial will go on until 2029, by when the zone would have expanded to Ring Road 2.

The expanded zone would be bounded by Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh, Le Kha Phieu (former National Highway 1), and Nguyen Van Linh streets, the Phu My Bridge, Vo Chi Cong, Nguyen Thi Dinh, Dong Van Cong, Mai Chi Tho, and Vo Nguyen Giap and Hanoi Highway.

The area is already off-limits to heavy trucks and sleeper buses during certain hours.

Phased vehicle transition

The plan divides the vehicle transition into different groups, with progressively stricter emissions and clean-energy requirements.

Buses and three-wheel garbage collection vehicles will be the first to transition.

From 2027, they would have to use electricity or other green energy when entering the zone.

By early 2028, ride-hailing motorbikes and delivery riders also have to switch to electric or green-energy vehicles.

From 2028, taxis entering the LEZ would have to meet Level 5 emissions standards, which are regulatory limits on vehicle and engine pollutants that correspond to the European Euro 5 standard, before fully switching to electric or green energy from 2030.

Contract vehicles with fewer than nine seats, vehicles with 10 or more seats and passenger buses would have to meet Level 4 or 5 emissions standards, depending on the vehicle type, from 2028, with standards becoming progressively stricter. Between 2032 and 2035, these vehicle groups would transition fully to electric or green energy.

For trucks, vehicles weighing up to one ton would have to use electricity or green energy from 2028. Trucks meeting Level 4 emissions standards would be allowed to enter the LEZ from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. before the requirement is raised to Level 5 from 2030.

By 2035, all trucks would have to switch to electric or green energy.

The low-emission zones in Ho Chi Minh City where gasoline diesel vehicles will be restricted in two phases. Graphics by Hoang Thanh

Motorbikes and private motorcycles would begin facing emissions standards from 2029, starting at Level 3 and rising to Level 4 from 2030.

They would transition fully to electric or green energy by 2035.

Private cars would have to meet Level 4 standards from 2028 and Level 5 from 2030, before completing the transition to electric or green energy by 2035.

Thus, by 2035, most vehicles operating within the LEZ would be required to use electricity or green energy.

Citywide, the target is to complete the transition by 2040.

Outside the central area, the plan proposes early green-vehicle transition measures on Con Dao Island and the former Can Gio area.

Con Dao is targeted to complete its transition to electric and green-energy vehicles by 2035, while Can Gio is expected to reach the target by 2040.

Support for vehicle transition

To implement the roadmap, the plan proposes support policies for different areas, prioritizing locations undergoing early transition as well as poor and near-poor households. The city would also invest in infrastructure to support green transportation.

HCMC now has a population of more than 14 million, and over one million cars and 11 million motorbikes, in addition to a large number of vehicles coming from other localities.

Road transport accounts for around 88% of fine particulate matter generated by transportation activities, according to the proposal.

The city expects the implementation of the LEZ to help reduce air pollution while also easing traffic congestion.