The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is developing a draft roadmap for the application of national technical regulations for motorcycle and scooter emissions in Vietnam.
Concerns remain
According to the draft, the timeline for the implementation of emission inspections for motorcycles and scooters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will begin on January 1, 2027. In four other centrally-governed cities, including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hue, the regulations will take effect on January 1, 2028. The remaining localities will conduct emission inspections from the beginning of 2030 or earlier, depending on the actual situation.
The draft clearly specifies that motorcycles produced before 2008 will be subject to emission standards at level 1, those produced from 2008 to 2016 will adhere to level 2, motorcycles manufactured from 2017 to June 30, 2026, will follow level 3, and those produced after July 1, 2026, will comply with level 4. Regarding scooters, those produced before 2016 will fall under level 1, those manufactured from 2017 to June 30, 2027, will adhere to level 2, and those produced from July 2027 onwards will follow level 4.
The two largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, will enforce the strictest emission regulations. Specifically, from January 1, 2032, all motorcycles and scooters operating in these two cities must meet emission standards from level 2 and above. Additionally, motorcycles and scooters entering Hanoi’s low-emission area as stipulated by the Capital Law must comply with the emission standards set by the People’s Council resolutions.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s draft has garnered support due to the increasing environmental pollution caused by a significant number of dilapidated vehicles and those without license plates still in circulation, which pose health risks to urban residents. However, there are also suggestions to consider allowing some older vehicles to continue operating if they meet emission standards through proper maintenance.
Mr. Truong Gia Hien, a resident of Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, purchased a Honda motorcycle in 2015, which is still in good condition due to proper maintenance. However, according to the regulations, by 2032 – when the vehicle is 18 years old – it will no longer be permitted for use in Ho Chi Minh City. Similarly, Ms. Ngo Kim Yen, from District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, has been using a Cub 84 motorcycle since 2000. This model is considered “obsolete” and has been discarded in foreign countries, but it still functions well due to minimal usage. If not allowed to use their vehicles due to non-compliant emissions, many owners will have to sell them at a low price or discard them altogether.
Dealerships of motorcycle manufacturers will participate in emission inspections for motorcycles and scooters. |
Clear fuel standards are necessary
According to Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Dung from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, it is not enough for motorcycles and scooters to meet emission standards; the fuel (gasoline) used for these vehicles must also be appropriate to effectively protect the environment. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for ensuring the supply of suitable fuel for vehicles, but the specific standards and types of fuel, such as biofuel or low-sulfur gasoline, have not been specified. “It is necessary to stipulate clear fuel standards, such as Euro 4 and Euro 5, corresponding to the emission levels, while also ensuring fuel prices are reasonable to encourage people to use standard-compliant fuel,” suggested Dr. Dung.
Regarding feasibility and social impact, Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Dung stated that emission inspections would increase costs for the population, especially those using older vehicles or residing in rural areas. Therefore, he proposed considering fee exemptions or reductions for emission inspections for low-income households and older vehicle owners during the initial implementation phase (2027-2030). As a solution, a program could be established to trade in older vehicles and provide subsidies for purchasing new, emission-compliant vehicles in collaboration with motorcycle manufacturers.
Another point of concern, according to experts, is that the draft does not specify measures for dealing with vehicles that do not meet emission standards, which could cause confusion in enforcement. Dr. Dung suggested including specific provisions on penalty forms (fines, temporary vehicle confiscation) and remediation procedures (repairs, re-inspection). In parallel, a mechanism should be established to encourage reduced registration fees for vehicles that meet standards from the first inspection. “Consider a long-term roadmap beyond 2032 with higher emission standards, such as level 5, to ensure sustainability. Additionally, integrate emission inspections into mobile applications or electronic registration systems to make it easier for people to track inspection schedules and results,” Dr. Dung recommended.
Mr. Dinh Trong Khang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Environmental Specialization under the Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, stated that many countries worldwide have been controlling motorcycle and scooter emissions for many years. Vietnam has a large number of motorcycles and scooters in circulation, including those with lifespans of several decades, which contribute to environmental pollution. Therefore, control measures are necessary. According to the proposed roadmap, vehicles that do not meet the required emission levels for use in urban and major cities can be circulated to other localities to reduce economic impacts on their owners. However, a concern is the lack of sufficient inspection resources for tens of millions of motorcycles and scooters, necessitating the mobilization of social resources.
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Significant costs are required to build inspection stations The Vietnam Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (VAMM) assessed that the roadmap draft for emission inspections, which is planned to be implemented in phases, is appropriate. VAMM pledged to accompany the implementation of regulations related to emission inspections by mobilizing the dealership networks of motorcycle brands to become vehicle inspection centers. However, VAMM dealerships need a minimum of one and a half to two years to prepare the necessary resources and infrastructure. Only Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can meet the requirements for implementation by early 2027. It is estimated that to meet the demand for emission inspections of motorcycles and scooters, 3,971 inspection stations are required nationwide, including 2,203 newly constructed stations. If the investment cost for one inspection station is 400 million VND, the total cost for 3,971 stations would be approximately 1,588 billion VND. |
Article and images: NGUYEN HAI
– 07:28 25/05/2025
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