Latest news with #DangThuyHanh
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban
Vietnam's plan to bar gas-guzzling motorbikes from central Hanoi may clear the air of the smog-smothered capital, but riders fear paying a high toll for the capital's green transition. "Of course everyone wants a better environment," said housewife Dang Thuy Hanh, baulking at the 80 million dong ($3,000) her family would spend replacing their four scooters with electric alternatives. "But why give us the first burden without any proper preparation?" grumbled the 52-year-old. Hanoi's scooter traffic is a fixture of the city's urban buzz. The northern hub of nine million people has nearly seven million two-wheelers, hurtling around at rush hour in a morass of congestion. Their exhausts splutter emissions regularly spurring the city to the top of worldwide smog rankings in a country where pollution claims at least 70,000 lives a year, according to the World Health Organization. The government last weekend announced plans to block fossil-fuelled bikes from Hanoi's 31 square kilometre (12 square mile) centre by next July. It will expand in stages to forbid all gas-fuelled vehicles in urban areas of the city in the next five years. Hanh -- one of the 600,000 people living in the central embargo zone -- said the looming cost of e-bikes has left her fretting over the loss of "a huge amount of savings". While she conceded e-bikes may help relieve pollution, she bemoaned the lack of public charging points near her home down a tiny alley in the heart of the city. "Why force residents to change while the city's infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?" she asked. Many families in communist-run Vietnam own at least two motorcycles for daily commutes, school runs, work and leisure. Proposals to reform transport for environmental reasons often sparks allegations the burden of change is felt highest by the working class. London has since 2023 charged a toll for older, higher pollution-emitting vehicles. France's populist "Yellow Vest" protests starting in 2018 were in part sparked by allegations President Emmanuel Macron's "green tax" on fuel was unfair for the masses. - 'Cost too high' - Hanoi authorities say they are considering alleviating the financial burden by offering subsidies of at least three million dong ($114) per switch to an e-bike, and also increasing public bus services. Food delivery driver Tran Van Tan, who rides his bike 40 kilometres (25 miles) every day from neighbouring Hung Yen province to downtown Hanoi, says he makes his living "on the road". "The cost of changing to an e-bike is simply too high," said the 45-year-old, employed through the delivery app Grab. "Those with a low income like us just cannot suddenly replace our bikes." Compared with a traditional two-wheeler, he also fears the battery life of e-bikes "won't meet the needs for long-distance travel". But citing air pollution as a major threat to human health, the environment and quality of life, deputy mayor Duong Duc Tuan earlier this week said "drastic measures are needed". In a recent report, Hanoi's environment and agriculture ministry said over half of the poisonous smog that blankets the city for much of the year comes from petrol and diesel vehicles. The World Bank puts the figure at 30 percent, with factories and waste incineration also major culprits. Several European cities, such as Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam have also limited the use of internal combustion engines on their streets -- and other major Vietnamese cities are looking to follow suit. The southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City aims to gradually transition delivery and service motorbikes to electric over the next few years. But with the high costs, office worker Nguyen My Hoa thinks the capital's ban will not be enforceable. "Authorities will not be able to stop the huge amount of gasoline bikes from entering the inner districts," 42-year-old Hoa said. "It simply does not work." tmh/sjc/jts/fox Solve the daily Crossword
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Sharjah 24
Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban
Concerns over financial burden "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. Pollution crisis 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. Infrastructure challenges 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. Impact on daily life 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. Potential solutions 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. Health and environmental concerns 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. Looking ahead 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."
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Hanoi - Vietnam's plan to bar gas-guzzling motorbikes from central Hanoi may clear the air of the smog-smothered capital, but riders fear paying a high toll for the capital's green transition. 'Of course everyone wants a better environment,' said housewife Dang Thuy Hanh, baulking at the 80 million dong (S$3,920) her family would spend replacing their four scooters with electric alternatives. 'But why give us the first burden without any proper preparation?' grumbled the 52-year-old. Hanoi's scooter traffic is a fixture of the city's urban buzz. The northern hub of nine million people has nearly seven million two-wheelers, hurtling around at rush hour in a morass of congestion. Their exhausts splutter emissions regularly spurring the city to the top of worldwide smog rankings in a country where pollution claims at least 70,000 lives a year, according to the World Health Organisation. The government last weekend announced plans to block fossil-fuelled bikes from Hanoi's 31 sq km centre by next July. It will expand in stages to forbid all gas-fuelled vehicles in urban areas of the city in the next five years. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences Singapore Tampines regional centre set to get more homes, offices and public amenities Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore World Diplomats dismissed: Inside the overhaul reshaping Trump's foreign policy Life US tech CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' video Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration Singapore 'God and government are the only things beyond our control,' says Group CEO Ms Hanh – one of the 600,000 people living in the central embargo zone – said the looming cost of e-bikes has left her fretting over the loss of 'a huge amount of savings'. While she conceded e-bikes may help relieve pollution, she bemoaned the lack of public charging points near her home down a tiny alley in the heart of the city. 'Why force residents to change while the city's infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?' she asked. Many families in communist-run Vietnam own at least two motorcycles for daily commutes, school runs, work and leisure. Proposals to reform transport for environmental reasons often sparks allegations the burden of change is felt highest by the working class. London has since 2023 charged a toll for older, higher pollution-emitting vehicles. France's populist 'Yellow Vest' protests starting in 2018 were in part sparked by allegations President Emmanuel Macron's 'green tax' on fuel was unfair for the masses. 'Cost too high' Hanoi authorities say they are considering alleviating the financial burden by offering subsidies of at least three million dong per switch to an e-bike, and also increasing public bus services. Food delivery driver Tran Van Tan, who rides his bike 40km every day from neighbouring Hung Yen province to downtown Hanoi, says he makes his living 'on the road'. 'The cost of changing to an e-bike is simply too high,' said the 45-year-old, employed through the delivery app Grab. 'Those with a low income like us just cannot suddenly replace our bikes.' Compared with a traditional two-wheeler, he also fears the battery life of e-bikes 'won't meet the needs for long-distance travel'. But citing air pollution as a major threat to human health, the environment and quality of life, deputy mayor Duong Duc Tuan earlier this week said 'drastic measures are needed'. In a recent report, Hanoi's environment and agriculture ministry said over half of the poisonous smog that blankets the city for much of the year comes from petrol and diesel vehicles. The World Bank puts the figure at 30 per cent, with factories and waste incineration also major culprits. Several European cities, such as Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam have also limited the use of internal combustion engines on their streets – and other major Vietnamese cities are looking to follow suit. The southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City aims to gradually transition delivery and service motorbikes to electric over the next few years. But with the high costs, office worker Nguyen My Hoa thinks the capital's ban will not be enforceable. 'Authorities will not be able to stop the huge amount of gasoline bikes from entering the inner districts,' 42-year-old Hoa said. 'It simply does not work.' AFP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban
Vietnam's plan to bar gas-guzzling motorbikes from central Hanoi may clear the air of the smog-smothered capital, but riders fear paying a high toll for the capital's green transition. "Of course everyone wants a better environment," said housewife Dang Thuy Hanh, baulking at the 80 million dong ($3,000) her family would spend replacing their four scooters with electric alternatives. "But why give us the first burden without any proper preparation?" grumbled the 52-year-old. Hanoi's scooter traffic is a fixture of the city's urban buzz. The northern hub of nine million people has nearly seven million two-wheelers, hurtling around at rush hour in a morass of congestion. Their exhausts splutter emissions regularly spurring the city to the top of worldwide smog rankings in a country where pollution claims at least 70,000 lives a year, according to the World Health Organization. The government last weekend announced plans to block fossil-fuelled bikes from Hanoi's 31 square kilometre (12 square mile) centre by next July. It will expand in stages to forbid all gas-fuelled vehicles in urban areas of the city in the next five years. Hanh -- one of the 600,000 people living in the central embargo zone -- said the looming cost of e-bikes has left her fretting over the loss of "a huge amount of savings". While she conceded e-bikes may help relieve pollution, she bemoaned the lack of public charging points near her home down a tiny alley in the heart of the city. "Why force residents to change while the city's infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?" she asked. Many families in communist-run Vietnam own at least two motorcycles for daily commutes, school runs, work and leisure. Proposals to reform transport for environmental reasons often sparks allegations the burden of change is felt highest by the working class. London has since 2023 charged a toll for older, higher pollution-emitting vehicles. France's populist "Yellow Vest" protests starting in 2018 were in part sparked by allegations President Emmanuel Macron's "green tax" on fuel was unfair for the masses. - 'Cost too high' - Hanoi authorities say they are considering alleviating the financial burden by offering subsidies of at least three million dong ($114) per switch to an e-bike, and also increasing public bus services. Food delivery driver Tran Van Tan, who rides his bike 40 kilometres (25 miles) every day from neighbouring Hung Yen province to downtown Hanoi, says he makes his living "on the road". "The cost of changing to an e-bike is simply too high," said the 45-year-old, employed through the delivery app Grab. "Those with a low income like us just cannot suddenly replace our bikes." Compared with a traditional two-wheeler, he also fears the battery life of e-bikes "won't meet the needs for long-distance travel". But citing air pollution as a major threat to human health, the environment and quality of life, deputy mayor Duong Duc Tuan earlier this week said "drastic measures are needed". In a recent report, Hanoi's environment and agriculture ministry said over half of the poisonous smog that blankets the city for much of the year comes from petrol and diesel vehicles. The World Bank puts the figure at 30 percent, with factories and waste incineration also major culprits. Several European cities, such as Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam have also limited the use of internal combustion engines on their streets -- and other major Vietnamese cities are looking to follow suit. The southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City aims to gradually transition delivery and service motorbikes to electric over the next few years. But with the high costs, office worker Nguyen My Hoa thinks the capital's ban will not be enforceable. "Authorities will not be able to stop the huge amount of gasoline bikes from entering the inner districts," 42-year-old Hoa said. "It simply does not work." tmh/sjc/jts/fox
France 24
3 days ago
- Automotive
- France 24
Hanoi scooter riders baulk at petrol-powered bikes ban
"Of course everyone wants a better environment," said housewife Dang Thuy Hanh, baulking at the 80 million dong ($3,000) her family would spend replacing their four scooters with electric alternatives. "But why give us the first burden without any proper preparation?" grumbled the 52-year-old. Hanoi's scooter traffic is a fixture of the city's urban buzz. The northern hub of nine million people has nearly seven million two-wheelers, hurtling around at rush hour in a morass of congestion. Their exhausts splutter emissions regularly spurring the city to the top of worldwide smog rankings in a country where pollution claims at least 70,000 lives a year, according to the World Health Organization. The government last weekend announced plans to block fossil-fuelled bikes from Hanoi's 31 square kilometre (12 square mile) centre by next July. It will expand in stages to forbid all gas-fuelled vehicles in urban areas of the city in the next five years. Hanh -- one of the 600,000 people living in the central embargo zone -- said the looming cost of e-bikes has left her fretting over the loss of "a huge amount of savings". While she conceded e-bikes may help relieve pollution, she bemoaned the lack of public charging points near her home down a tiny alley in the heart of the city. "Why force residents to change while the city's infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?" she asked. Many families in communist-run Vietnam own at least two motorcycles for daily commutes, school runs, work and leisure. Proposals to reform transport for environmental reasons often sparks allegations the burden of change is felt highest by the working class. London has since 2023 charged a toll for older, higher pollution-emitting vehicles. France's populist "Yellow Vest" protests starting in 2018 were in part sparked by allegations President Emmanuel Macron's "green tax" on fuel was unfair for the masses. 'Cost too high' Hanoi authorities say they are considering alleviating the financial burden by offering subsidies of at least three million dong ($114) per switch to an e-bike, and also increasing public bus services. Food delivery driver Tran Van Tan, who rides his bike 40 kilometres (25 miles) every day from neighbouring Hung Yen province to downtown Hanoi, says he makes his living "on the road". "The cost of changing to an e-bike is simply too high," said the 45-year-old, employed through the delivery app Grab. "Those with a low income like us just cannot suddenly replace our bikes." Compared with a traditional two-wheeler, he also fears the battery life of e-bikes "won't meet the needs for long-distance travel". But citing air pollution as a major threat to human health, the environment and quality of life, deputy mayor Duong Duc Tuan earlier this week said "drastic measures are needed". In a recent report, Hanoi's environment and agriculture ministry said over half of the poisonous smog that blankets the city for much of the year comes from petrol and diesel vehicles. The World Bank puts the figure at 30 percent, with factories and waste incineration also major culprits. Several European cities, such as Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam have also limited the use of internal combustion engines on their streets -- and other major Vietnamese cities are looking to follow suit. The southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City aims to gradually transition delivery and service motorbikes to electric over the next few years. But with the high costs, office worker Nguyen My Hoa thinks the capital's ban will not be enforceable. "Authorities will not be able to stop the huge amount of gasoline bikes from entering the inner districts," 42-year-old Hoa said. "It simply does not work." © 2025 AFP
