Is Hanoi ready to say goodbye to its gas-powered motorbikes?

The plan aims to fight pollution and push the city toward green, sustainable transport, but are residents ready to give up their motorbikes?

Every day, like millions of others, I rely on my motorbike to commute roughly 50 kilometers across Hanoi. I once tried public buses, hoping to cut costs and help the environment. But the experience was exhausting. Long waits, multiple transfers and endless walking left me spending up to four hours a day just to get to work and back. Harsh weather only made things worse. In the end, I had no choice but to return to my motorbike, the most practical and affordable option.

Now, under the new directive, that option will soon be taken away.

A necessary shift, but with serious risks

There is no question Hanoi's air pollution is a crisis. The city often ranks among the world's most polluted, with traffic responsible for nearly 60% of harmful PM2.5 particles. Hanoi's streets are packed with over 9 million vehicles, most of them gas-powered motorbikes. The need for cleaner transport is urgent.

But the infrastructure to support this shift simply is not there.

Motorbikes stop at a red light in Hanoi, June 2, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Hanoi's public transport network is limited. Just two metro lines operate in the city, covering a fraction of the urban area. Buses remain unreliable and inconvenient for most residents, especially in outer districts. Without drastic upgrades, forcing millions to abandon motorbikes risks creating chaos: paralyzed streets, longer commutes and widespread frustration.

Electric vehicles are not yet a solution for many. A reliable electric motorbike costs up to VND50 million (US$1,900), double the price of a basic gas-powered one. For low-income workers and gig drivers who depend on their bikes for a living, switching is financially impossible without support.

Charging stations are scarce and poorly distributed, with no consistent standards. Worse, Vietnam's national power grid is already strained. A sudden rise in EV adoption could trigger blackouts during peak hours.

Another hidden threat is waste. Millions of old gas-powered vehicles will soon become scrap. Without a national recycling plan, this could lead to a wave of toxic waste: oil, batteries, tires and engine parts. Even EV batteries, once discarded, pose environmental risks if not properly recycled.

Other cities offer lessons. In Seoul and Tokyo, governments did not ban fossil fuel vehicles outright. Instead, they built extensive public transport systems, subsidized fares and made buses and trains so convenient that people switched voluntarily. Hanoi, by contrast, risks pushing people toward electric vehicles without first preparing affordable alternatives.

From bans to real change

Hanoi's plan to phase out fossil fuel vehicles makes sense. But success depends not on bans, but on creating real, accessible alternatives.

The city needs to expand metro lines, improve bus services and rapidly scale up electric buses. Financial support is essential: subsidies for low-income buyers, old-for-new trade-in programs and affordable loans could ease the transition to electric motorbikes. Charging infrastructure must grow fast, with strict safety standards.

Urban planning reforms can help too. Moving schools, hospitals and offices out of the city center would reduce traffic and pollution. Developing satellite towns would lower commuting demand.

Instead of blanket bans, Hanoi could start with pilot programs: gas-free zones during peak hours or restricted areas for motorbikes. Real-time monitoring of air quality, traffic flow and public satisfaction can guide policies.

Most importantly, public trust matters. Authorities need clear communication about timelines, benefits and support policies. People must feel included, not forced, in this transition.

Hanoi's shift toward electric transport is inevitable. But without proper planning, it risks failing before it starts. People won't give up their motorbikes unless better options are in place.

The city needs to move from restriction to encouragement, from bans to building a truly green, accessible transport ecosystem. Done right, Hanoi could become a model for sustainable urban living, not just for Vietnam, but for the entire region.

*Tran Duc Thinh holds a Master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering.