A comprehensive roadmap has been approved by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to regulate vehicle emissions from cars with spark ignition and compression ignition engines on roads across Vietnam.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is responsible for guiding the implementation of the roadmap, which applies to organisations and individuals involved in car management, inspection, and usage under Deputy PM Decision No. 43.

The decision establishes five emission levels:

- Cars manufactured before 1999 will adhere to level one, equivalent to Euro 1 standard, from 1 March next year.
- Cars manufactured between 1999 and the end of 2016 will adhere to level two, equivalent to Euro 2 standard, from 1st March 2026.
- Cars manufactured between 2017 and the end of 2021 will adhere to level three, equivalent to Euro 3 standard, from the same date.
- Cars manufactured between 2017 and the end of 2021 operating in Hanoi and HCM City will adhere to level four, equivalent to Euro 4 standard, from 1st January 2027.
- Cars manufactured from 2022 will adhere to level four, equivalent to Euro 4 standard, from 1st March next year, and level five, equivalent to Euro 5 standard, from 1st January 2032.
- Cars manufactured from 2022 operating in Hanoi and HCM City will adhere to level five from 1st January 2028.

From 1st January 2029, all cars operating in Hanoi and HCM City must comply with emission regulations of level two or higher.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is responsible for guiding the roadmap's implementation. It will continue to study and develop higher emission standards to submit to the Prime Minister for subsequent plans.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) is tasked with researching and reviewing national technical regulations on fuels to amend and supplement them in accordance with the roadmap for applying emission levels. The MST is also responsible for reviewing regulations for accrediting and designating organisations for emissions inspection and calibration devices under metrology laws, to ensure alignment with the roadmap.

The decision requires local people's committees to coordinate with the MST to manage, inspect, and supervise fuel quality circulating in the market. Depending on socio-economic conditions and environmental protection requirements, localities may implement stricter emission level application roadmaps in strict protection zones and emission-restricted areas than those specified in the decision.

The plans establish a schedule for progressively introducing stricter vehicle emissions standards across Vietnam, with earlier adoption in Hanoi and HCM City.

Deputy PM's Requests

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha has requested a review of the draft decision regulating the roadmap for applying national technical standards on emissions for motorcycles and motorbikes. This policy was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in the context that Vietnam currently maintains only voluntary motorcycle emission limits without legally binding standards.

Traffic emissions are a source of air pollution affecting public health, with over 74.3 million motorcycles and 6.3 million cars nationwide by the end of 2023.

According to the latest proposal, motorcycles in Hanoi and HCM City must undergo emission inspections from July 2027. Inspections for motorcycles in other major cities, including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hue, will begin from July 2028.

The Deputy PM requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and the people's committees of Hanoi and HCM City to review the draft. Related units must clarify how to issue a roadmap for applying standards in the absence of a national technical standard for motorcycle emissions and provide solutions to organise inspections and certify vehicles meeting emission standards.

The Deputy PM also requested clarification of the policy's impact on citizens and businesses, particularly in Hanoi and HCM City, with a report due before 15 December.

In a policy impact report, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment stated that setting a roadmap for applying motorcycle emission standards would affect air quality and public health and may influence healthcare costs and economic losses from pollution-related diseases. The policy would also provide a framework for low-emission zones and for developing a system for the recovery and recycling of old vehicles.

The Ministry noted that applying emission regulations would incur costs for the public. Low-income groups using non-compliant motorcycles manufactured before 2008 might be required to repair or replace their vehicles. Additionally, the absence of a system to recover and process old vehicles could result in pollution if they are not disposed of appropriately.