Motorbikes will remain Vietnam's primary means of transport for another 20 years

While the debate over banning motorbikes continues, addressing the root causes of traffic congestion is key to finding real solutions.

Every morning, millions of people in Vietnam's major cities leave their homes to go about their daily routines—eating breakfast, taking their children to school, or heading to work in offices, factories, markets, and small alley shops. Many also use their motorbikes to transport goods or tools.

If motorbikes were banned, could buses or public transport handle these tasks as efficiently and flexibly as motorbikes do?

Vietnam's tropical climate presents an additional challenge. While mornings might be pleasant, few people are willing to walk long distances under the scorching midday sun. This is one reason why motorbikes remain the preferred mode of transport, despite the pollution and traffic congestion they contribute to.

Vehicles are stuck in traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress

Public transport systems have made efforts to ease traffic problems but often face significant challenges. Hanoi's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which operates on dedicated bus lanes, was designed to improve commuting habits. However, it has not yet met expectations.

Metro systems hold more promise but still mainly generate revenue from routes that pass through areas with schools and offices. The Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien Metro line, set to open on Dec. 22, is expected to perform better as it runs through a key transportation corridor in Ho Chi Minh City. However, reducing reliance on private vehicles is a slow process.

Expanding suburban areas and developing Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD)—urban areas centered around public transport stations—could encourage more people to use the metro. However, these solutions will take years to implement.

An immediate ban on motorbikes is unrealistic. People need time to adjust to alternative transport options, such as metro systems, and this transition will take time.

Everyone dreams of well-planned cities where all areas meet residents' needs. But as a developing country, Vietnam must make compromises—just as we accept living farther from city centers if we can’t afford housing there.

Widening roads from two to four or six lanes has already proven successful in some areas. Blaming motorbikes or cars for traffic congestion misses the point: urban growth has always outpaced infrastructure development.

Motorbikes will remain the primary mode of transport for the Vietnamese people for at least the next 20 years. Only once large-scale projects like metro systems are fully operational will viable alternatives to motorbikes become available.

The ultimate goal is not to ban motorbikes. The real goal is to create an efficient, practical transportation system suited to Vietnam's unique needs—something that requires time, investment, and patience.