Creating choices instead of barriers
In recent years, along with the rapid urbanization rate, Hanoi City has faced increasing pressure on air pollution. Therefore, the implementation of LEZs is not only an environmental solution but also reflects changes in urban management thinking.
It is noteworthy that Hanoi City does not choose an approach based solely on regulations restricting vehicles.
According to traffic expert, Dr. Vu Hong Truong, experience from many cities around the world shows that people find it difficult to give up personal vehicles if there are no more convenient alternatives. If only restrictive measures are applied without creating alternatives, implementation will face many difficulties.
Reality shows that LEZs are not a single solution. Along with piloting low-emission zones, Hanoi is promoting the conversion of buses to using clean energy, developing urban railways, expanding the public bicycle network, building transit points and gradually completing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. These solutions all aim to reduce dependence on private vehicles.
Forming a green transportation ecosystem
According to Mr. Luong Duc Thang - Deputy Head of Traffic Infrastructure Management Department (Hanoi Department of Construction), Hanoi City is orienting public transport to be the "backbone" of the urban transport system, while strengthening connectivity between buses, urban railways, public bicycles, transit parking lots and other modes of transport. The goal is not only to increase the number of public transport vehicles but also to form a network of interconnected and convenient travel for people.
Mr. Nguyen Thuy - Deputy General Director of Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) - said that in the first 6 months of 2026, the unit received and put into operation 53 medium-sized electric buses under the Project to strengthen sustainable urban transport for the Nhon - Hanoi urban railway line. Along with that, Transerco and its member units have completed the plan to put into operation 122 medium-sized electric buses and 43 large-sized electric buses as required by new bidding packages.
To date, Transerco has converted 281 electric buses on 17 routes, and continues to deploy vehicle conversion for 26 routes and branch routes with about 320 electric buses of all kinds. It is expected that by the end of 2026, Transerco's electric vehicle rate will reach more than 51%.
Green transportation is not simply replacing fossil fuel vehicles with electric vehicles, but also a process of reorganizing the entire transportation system towards being environmentally friendly and more convenient for people.
That is also the reason why Hanoi City is simultaneously investing in transit points, parking lots, charging infrastructure, expanding the public bicycle network and speeding up the progress of metro lines. Each item solves a different need, but when synchronously connected, it will create a complete service chain, helping people to travel without relying on personal vehicles.
However, according to Mr. Nguyen Viet Cuong (Nhan Chinh street, Hanoi), although Hanoi City is making efforts to modernize the public transport network, many elderly people still face many difficulties when using buses and urban railways.
Modern urban railways but only serve people living along the routes. The biggest weakness today is that the connection between trams and buses is still not really smooth" - Mr. Cuong shared.
According to experts, if public transport is not attractive enough or the infrastructure serving green vehicles does not meet the needs, people will find it difficult to change their travel habits that have been formed for many years. Conversely, when the use of buses, metro or public bicycles becomes convenient, economical and accessible, the transition process will take place more naturally instead of depending on administrative measures.
It can be said that LEZs are a test of urban traffic organization capacity. When public transport truly becomes a priority choice, emission reduction will no longer be a mandatory requirement but become an inevitable trend, contributing to building a green, modern and livable Capital in the future.
