On October 7, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction held a workshop to report the results of the study "Low Emission Zone - LEZ); Conversion implementation roadmap and policies to support means of transport", under the Project on controlling emissions of means of transport in the city.
According to the project, Ho Chi Minh City plans to form a low-emission zone in the central area limited by 15 bridges and 20 main roads, along with the Rung Sac route (from Binh Khanh ferry to Duyen Hai road).
In the low emission zone, vehicles that do not generate emissions or use clean energy, green energy, and are environmentally friendly are allowed to circulate. In addition, priority vehicles and vehicles with a circulation license from a competent authority are still allowed to operate.
In contrast, heavy trucks running on diesel will be banned from circulating in this area.
The project also proposes to limit or prohibit cars that do not meet level 4 emission standards, as well as motorbikes and mopeds that do not meet level 2 emission standards from circulating in low emission zones, depending on the specific time frame, time or area.
In addition to control measures, the project proposes to apply fees and charges for motor vehicles emitted when traveling in the region.
At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City encourages people living in low-emission zones not to buy new or register new motorbikes and mopeds using fuel, through financial support policies when switching to electric vehicles.
People and households that need to liquidate gasoline motorbikes will be financially supported to compensate for the remaining value of the vehicle within the prescribed time.
At the same time, organizations, businesses and individuals living and working in low-emission zones when converting vehicles from fossil fuels to electric vehicles or clean vehicles will also enjoy technical and financial support policies.
Notably, the previous draft (August 2025) proposed to have regulations limiting new registrations for motorbikes and mopeds using fossil fuels. Individuals and households living in low-emission zones are not allowed to register new motorbikes or mopeds using fuel.
However, this option has been removed in the new update, showing a more flexible approach, prioritizing incentives instead of imposing.
Regarding support policies, the project proposes to exempt 50% of registration and license plate fees for motorbikes and electric motorbikes. People who buy electric motorbikes will receive a subsidy of 10% of the vehicle value, up to VND 5 million for regular households; near-poor households will be supported 80%, up to VND 16 million; and poor households will be supported 100%, up to VND 20 million.
In addition, support 20% of lending interest rates in Vietnamese Dong, with a support level of 100% of the loan contract value and a loan term of no more than 5 years, to encourage people to switch to using electric motorbikes.
According to Mr. Bui Hoa An - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the decisive factor for the success of a policy is the level of response of people and businesses. It is impossible to issue a policy that people and businesses cannot implement, Mr. An emphasized.
According to Mr. An, when people realize that the policy brings benefits to themselves and the community, they will proactively participate.
The leader of the Department of Construction said that the habit of using gasoline and diesel vehicles is still popular, while the infrastructure of charging stations and electric vehicle parking lots is still limited, especially in apartments. The city is urgently issuing specific instructions so that people can park and charge their vehicles safely and conveniently at their private homes and apartments.
"In the next three months, the charging station system for electric buses and electric cars will be strongly deployed. The city will also plan charging points that meet technical standards, fire safety and fighting at bus stations, parking lots, residential areas and apartments" - Mr. An said.
