Vietnam’s business hub aims to phase out petrol and diesel transport from central areas by mid-2027, starting with buses and delivery fleets
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenReutersPublished: 3:00pm, 26 Aug 2026Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercial hub, is proposing to gradually restrict petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027, as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ), according to state-run Thanh Nien newspaper.Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, covering roughly 930 hectares (2,300 acres), Thanh Nien reported, citing city authorities.
From early 2029, the LEZ will expand to within the city’s Ring Road 2, an area that already restricts heavy trucks and sleeper buses from the inner city during certain hours.
The new timeline is later than a previous proposal, in which the implementation of the LEZ was set to begin early this year.
The revised plan adjusts the scope and some milestones to align with the launch of green transport infrastructure and give residents and businesses more time to switch vehicles.
