HANOI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's commercial hub, is proposing to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027 as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ), state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported, citing city authorities.
• Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, which covers roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles), Thanh Nien reported.
• After two years of piloting, the LEZ would expand to within the city's Ring Road 2 from early 2029, an area that already restricts heavy trucks and sleeper buses from the inner city during certain hours, it added.
• The new timeline is later than a previous proposal, in which the implementation of the LEZ was set to begin in early 2026.
• The revised plan adjusts the scope and some milestones to align with the launch of green transport infrastructure and give residents and businesses more time to switch vehicles.
• Buses are the first group required to convert, and will need to use electricity or clean energy when entering the LEZ starting in 2027.
• Motorcycle-taxi drivers and delivery riders would follow, while other categories such as taxis face later deadlines.
• The proposal remains subject to further review before it is formally approved.
• Hanoi said in June it also planned to phase out gasoline-powered ride-hailing motorbikes from low-emission zones, beginning with voluntary restrictions and moving to a ban from January 2027.
(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by David Stanway)
