Vietnam’s top motorcycle makers say the government’s proposed mid-2026 ban on petrol bikes in Hanoi’s inner city is too rushed and could harm low-income consumers and manufacturers alike, the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) has said in a petition sent to the government, VN Express has reported→view source.
Key details:
- VAMM members include: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Piaggio and SYM, who together operate 2,000 distributors and 200 local suppliers
- Directive 20 (July 12): Assigns Hanoi to ban petrol motorbikes inside Ring Road 1 from mid-2026 and implement a citywide low-emission zone by 2030
- Main concerns: Cost burden on low-income residents, inadequate charging infrastructure, insufficient power grid capacity, and fire safety risks in older buildings
- Manufacturing impact: Firms need time to restructure production lines, invest in new tech, and avoid production shutdowns
- Current infrastructure: VinFast leads with a car-focused charging network; Selex Motors has 90 battery swap stations in 3 cities; Dat Bike’s network remains limited to HCMC
- Proposed timeline: VAMM recommends a phased approach starting with old, high-emission vehicles and a minimum 2–3 year preparation period
Despite ambitious government policy with respect to expanding electrical vehicle penetration in Vietnam, implementation gaps—especially in charging infrastructure and equitable access—remain major hurdles.
See also: Vietnam’s Petrol Motorbike Ban: Intent Versus Economic Reality