Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Ho Chi Minh City Proposes Downtown Vehicle Curbs From 2027
Ho Chi Minh City wants to make some parts of the city cleaner.
It plans to test a low-emission zone starting in July 2027.
The first area would include downtown and the new Thu Thiem urban area.
The zone would cover about 930 hectares.
Buses would have to use electricity or other clean energy when entering it.
Motorcycle-taxi drivers and delivery riders would be included later.
Taxis and other vehicles would have later deadlines.
The plan still needs more review before it becomes official.
Ho Chi Minh City proposes piloting a low-emission zone from July 2027 in downtown and Thu Thiem.
The pilot area would cover roughly 930 hectares and later expand within Ring Road 2 from early 2029.
Buses entering the zone would need to use electricity or clean energy starting in 2027.
Motorcycle-taxi and delivery riders would follow, while taxis and other vehicles face later deadlines.
The revised proposal is not yet approved and gives residents and businesses more time to switch vehicles.
- Who
- Ho Chi Minh City authorities, along with affected bus operators, motorcycle-taxi drivers, delivery riders, taxi operators, residents and businesses.
- What
- A proposal to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles through a low-emission zone.
- When
- The pilot is proposed for July 2027, with expansion within Ring Road 2 planned from early 2029.
- Where
- The pilot would cover Ho Chi Minh City’s core downtown area and the Thu Thiem urban area; the later zone would extend within Ring Road 2.
- Why
- To align vehicle restrictions with green transport infrastructure and give residents and businesses more time to switch vehicles.
- Pilot start
- July 2027
- Initial area
- Core downtown area and Thu Thiem urban area
- Initial size
- Roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles)
- Planned expansion
- Within Ring Road 2 from early 2029
- First affected vehicles
- Buses, which would need to use electricity or clean energy when entering the zone starting in 2027
- Later affected groups
- Motorcycle-taxi drivers, delivery riders and, at later deadlines, taxis and other vehicle categories
- Approval status
- The proposal remains subject to further review