The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said that it is implementing phase 2 of the vehicle emission control project, focusing on studying the zoning of emission control in the central area, Can Gio and Con Dao.
The project is expected to complete the dossier to submit to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council in the first quarter of 2026.
According to the draft, from 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will establish a low emission zone (LEZ) in the central area to limit the circulation of gasoline vehicles that do not meet emission standards.
The LEZ scope is expected to include former central districts, including: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, Binh Thanh, Tan Binh, Tan Phu and Phu Nhuan, limited by 15 bridges and 17 main roads.
From 2026, three groups of vehicles will be restricted in the LEZ region, including: diesel heavy trucks (completely banned), commercial cars under Euro 4 standards and service motorbikes under Euro 2.
From 2027, when motorbikes are required to have their emissions inspected, all cars below level 4 emission standards and motorbikes below level 2 standards will be restricted to circulate in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City.
By 2031, the low-emission zone will be expanded to Ring Road 1, including Pham Van Dong - Nguyen Thai Son roundabout - Bay Hien - Huong Lo 2 intersection - Nguyen Van Linh roundabout.
From 2032, emission standards will be raised, applying to all vehicles circulating in Ring Road 1.
To effectively control, the draft project proposes to install a traffic surveillance camera system and automatic license plate recognition (ANPR) at entrances to the LEZ area.
In the 2026 - 2032 period, 58 cameras will be installed at all gateways and key intersections. From 2032 onwards, about 200 more ANPR cameras will be installed throughout Ho Chi Minh City.
The system will compare license plates with national inspection data, determining the emission standards of each vehicle. The violating vehicle will be automatically recorded and an electronic penalty notice will be sent to the vehicle owner.
To operate the system, the city needs to review the number of motorbikes in operation, classify them according to types and years of manufacture, and at the same time establish a database for cars below Level 4 and motorbikes below Level 2.
Ho Chi Minh City will fully arrange low-emission zone signs at LEZ entrances and recommend that the Ministry of Construction add this type of sign to the National Regulation on road signs.
In addition to signs, road markings with the words LEZ at gateways will help drivers identify limited areas and choose appropriate directions.
Regarding the penalty plan, the draft proposes to apply a three-phase roadmap. In the first month, the authorities only propagated and reminded vehicles that did not meet emission standards.
From the 2nd month to the 6th month, the fine will be reduced by 50%, equivalent to VND 100,000 for motorbikes and mopeds according to Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP and VND 200,000 for cars violating the command and instructions of the signboard according to Clause 1, Article 6 of this Decree.
After 6 months of implementation, the city applied a full fine, including 200,000 VND for motorbikes and mopeds and 400,000 VND for cars in violation.
