Rising concerns over vehicle emissions are increasingly challenging authorities in Vietnam, where the primary bottleneck lies not in vehicle standards but in the type of fuel used.

Even a vehicle that complies with the Euro 5 standard will not produce clean exhaust emissions if it operates on petrol meeting only Euro 3.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently chaired a meeting to review reports and provide feedback on the draft decision of the Prime Minister regarding the roadmap for implementing the National Technical Regulation on exhaust emissions for road-going automobiles.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has recommended that emission standards be applied according to the vehicle's year of manufacture.

Specifically:
- Cars produced before 1999 would be classified as Level 1 (Euro 1).
- Cars manufactured between 1999 and 2016 would be Level 2 (Euro 2).
- Cars produced between 2017 and 2021 would be Level 3 (Euro 3) starting 1 January 2026; however, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Level 4 (Euro 4) will apply from 1 January 2027.
- Cars produced from 2022 onwards would be Level 4 starting 1 January 2026 and Level 5 (Euro 5) starting 1 January 2032; in Hanoi and HCMC, Level 5 will apply from 1 January 2028.

From 1st January 2029, all vehicles operating in Hanoi and HCMC must comply with Level 2 or higher.

Notably, car models manufactured and assembled in accordance with certification on technical safety and environmental protection prior to 1 January 2022 will follow the same emission level as vehicles produced between 2017 and 2021 (Level 3).

Alignment and consistency

Bui Ngoc Bao, Chair of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, noted that the proposal is, in effect, more relaxed than previous regulations.

"Prime Minister's Decision 49/2011/QD-TTg clearly stated that from 2017, new cars must meet Euro 4, and from 2022 onwards, Euro 5. Applying Euro 3 for vehicles produced between 2017 and 2021 constitutes a step backward," Bao stated.

Bao also highlighted that the most significant bottleneck in emission control lies not in vehicle standards but in fuel quality control.

The Ministry of Construction (and the previous Ministry of Transport) has enforced strict vehicle emission standards. However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), which oversees fuel, has not aligned fuel standards accordingly.

Currently, most petrol available in the market meets only Euro 3 standards, whereas vehicles produced from 2017 require Euro 4 or Euro 5 fuel. This mismatch prevents high-standard vehicles from operating as intended due to incompatible fuel quality.

"An Euro 5 car cannot produce clean emissions if it is using Euro 3 petrol," Bao explained.

He added that this inconsistency adversely affects both the environment and consumers. Automakers import or manufacture Euro 5 vehicles, yet customers are often not informed that these vehicles require Euro 5 petrol. Drivers frequently select cheaper fuel, resulting in accelerated wear and non-compliant emissions, while manufacturers may refuse warranty claims due to incorrect fuel use.

Fuel suppliers, in turn, have little incentive to import higher-quality fuel, which is more expensive and rarely demanded by consumers. Bao noted, "Only when customers require fuel of the correct standard will businesses be compelled to import and supply it."

Regarding the proposal for Hanoi and HCMC to adopt stricter standards (Euro 4), Bao affirmed that this is feasible.

"These two cities already possess better infrastructure and a higher proportion of newer vehicles, making the application of Euro 4 appropriate. If implemented effectively, upgrading to higher-standard fuel could reduce fine dust by up to 20%," he said.

Bao emphasised that, given worsening air pollution, particularly in major cities, the adoption of higher fuel and emission standards is urgent. He stressed that the most critical factor is ensuring coordination and comprehensive action among ministries - including MOIT, MAE, and local authorities. With consistent implementation, emission control is entirely achievable.

In the final phase, from 1st January 2029, all vehicles operating in Hanoi and HCMC must meet Level 2 or higher. This timeline is one year earlier than the proposal introduced in early August.

Vehicles failing to meet emission standards will not receive inspection certificates and will be prohibited from operating on the road. Owners must have their vehicles inspected, repaired, or maintained to achieve the required emission level to pass inspection and operate legally.

Despite its necessity, the adoption of new emission standards presents significant challenges. Vietnam currently has millions of older vehicles that do not meet the requirements, many of which cannot be upgraded to comply with the new standards.