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"Of course everyone wants a better environment," said housewife Dang Thuy Hanh, expressing her frustration over the 80 million dong ($3,000) cost to replace her family's four scooters with electric alternatives. "But why give us the first burden without any proper preparation?" she lamented.
Hanoi's bustling scooter traffic is a hallmark of the city's urban life. With nearly seven million two-wheelers in a northern hub of nine million people, the rush hour creates a chaotic scene of congestion.
The exhaust emissions from these vehicles regularly propel Hanoi to the top of global smog rankings, contributing to an estimated 70,000 pollution-related deaths annually in Vietnam, according to the World Health Organization.
Last weekend, the government announced plans to prohibit fossil-fueled bikes from Hanoi's 31 square kilometers (12 square miles) by next July, with an aim to phase out all gas-fueled vehicles in urban areas over the next five years.
Hanh, one of the 600,000 residents in the central embargo zone, worries about the potential loss of "a huge amount of savings." While she acknowledges that e-bikes could alleviate pollution, she criticizes the lack of public charging points near her home. "Why force residents to change while the city's infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?" she questioned.
In Vietnam, many families own at least two motorcycles for various daily tasks, from commuting to leisure activities. Transport reform proposals often spark allegations that the working class bears the brunt of such changes.
Similar situations have unfolded globally; for instance, London has charged a toll for older, higher-pollution vehicles, while France's "Yellow Vest" protests were partly ignited by perceptions that President Macron's "green tax" unfairly targeted the masses.
Hanoi authorities are considering alleviating the financial strain by offering subsidies of at least three million dong ($114) per e-bike switch and increasing public bus services. Food delivery driver Tran Van Tan, who travels 40 kilometers (25 miles) daily to downtown Hanoi, laments the high cost of transitioning to an e-bike. "Those with a low income like us just cannot suddenly replace our bikes," said the 45-year-old.
Despite the challenges, deputy mayor Duong Duc Tuan emphasized the necessity for "drastic measures" to combat air pollution, which poses a significant threat to health and quality of life. A recent report indicated that over half of the toxic smog enveloping Hanoi is attributed to petrol and diesel vehicles, while the World Bank estimates this figure at 30 percent, with factories and waste incineration also contributing significantly.
Several European cities, including Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam, have imposed restrictions on internal combustion engines, and other major Vietnamese cities are considering similar actions. Ho Chi Minh City, for instance, aims to gradually transition delivery and service motorbikes to electric in the coming years.
However, office worker Nguyen My Hoa doubts the enforceability of the ban in Hanoi. "Authorities will not be able to stop the huge amount of gasoline bikes from entering the inner districts," said the 42-year-old. "It simply does not work."
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