It is a familiar sight in Vietnam’s cities: a sea of motorbikes stretching as far as the eye can see, engines rattling, horns echoing and the air thick with exhaust fumes.

The rumble of petrol engines has long set the rhythm of daily life here, powering commutes, deliveries and family rides across town.

Now, that sound could soon fade.

Hanoi plans to ban fossil-fuel motorcycles from its city center in July 2026, part of a national drive to cut emissions and air pollution.

Its commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City, is weighing a similar step.

By 2030, Vietnam aims for a third of cars and more than a fifth of motorbikes to run on electricity.

Some see this as an opportunity to swap out smoke-belching engines for cleaner, quieter rides.

But others remain wary. Gas-powered bikes are still cheaper, sturdier, and easier to repair.

Many owners worry that electric models could fall short on range, affordability, and charging convenience.

At the heart of the debate is the motorbike’s central place in Vietnamese life.

The country’s 77 million two-wheelers — including 7 million in Hanoi and 8.5 million in Ho Chi Minh City — power small businesses, shape daily commerce, and set the rhythm of cities.

Shopkeepers pile goods onto scooters to push through traffic, while families squeeze three generations onto a single bike for the school run.

While delivery drivers and mechanics are scrambling, electric bike start ups are opening new retail stores and e-bike sales are climbing.

Electrifying remaining two-wheelers is key for cutting tailpipe emissions and clearing smog from the streets.

EVs are more energy efficient than gas engines, said Zifei Yang of the International Council on Clean Transportation.

About 70,000 deaths in Vietnam each year are linked to polluted air, according to the Boston-based nonprofit Health Effects Institute.

Electric motorbike sales have surged since the ban was announced, with purchases of smaller bikes up 89% and full-sized bikes 197% in the first eight months of 2025.

VinFast led as its sales more than quadrupled, outpacing Yadea and other local rivals, according to industry tracker MotorcyclesData.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to replace 400,000 gasoline motorbikes with electric ones by 2028, starting with a 2026 ban on using gas bikes for ride-hailing and delivery.

The city will offer low-interest loans, tax breaks and set up low-emission zones to curb pollution.

In Hanoi, people affected by the ban can get $120–$200 in subsidies to buy electric bikes worth at least $590, depending on income, and won’t have to pay new registration or license plate fees until 2030.

AP video shot by: Hau Dinh