Ho Chi Minh City delays low-emission zone launch to July 2027

Vietnam's business capital will launch a pilot low-emission zone covering its downtown core and Thu Thiem urban area from July 2027, marking a revised timeline that pushes the initiative back from an earlier target set for early this year.

The Ho Chi Minh City project will span approximately 930 hectares across central districts in its initial phase, with authorities planning to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles starting with public buses and commercial delivery fleets.

Expansion across inner ring road

By early 2029, the restricted zone will expand to encompass the entire area within Ring Road 2, a corridor that already limits heavy truck and sleeper bus access to the inner city during specific hours.

The adjusted schedule reflects changes in both scope and implementation milestones, designed to synchronize with the rollout of green transport infrastructure and allow households and businesses additional time to transition their vehicle fleets, according to Thanh Nien newspaper's report citing city authorities.

The revision represents a strategic recalibration from the original proposal, which had set early 2024 as the start date for low-emission zone enforcement. The extended preparation period signals recognition of the practical challenges facing Southeast Asia's most populous urban center as it attempts one of the region's most ambitious air quality interventions.

Source: South China Morning Post