Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and areas with high risks of air pollution will have to remove old, unqualified vehicles that cause environmental pollution and do not meet modern standards, VN Express has reported.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, air pollution in urban areas, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh has worsened recently, mainly due to dust and exhaust fumes released from vehicles, construction, and industrial activities.
“We give the suggestions to localities to study and develop an appropriate roadmap when promoting the regulations. Firstly, we will mobilize people to voluntarily remove old and outdated vehicles,” said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan.
On Jan. 18, the government enacted policies to control environmental pollution in Vietnam, and set out key ways various ministries must respond:
–the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will head up the the national standardization system on exhaust fumes released from vehicles.
–the Ministry of Transport needs to improve eco-friendly transportation system, including use of electric vehicles.
–the Ministry of Industry and Trade will enact policies to encourage the use of renewable energy.
–the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for national standardization in terms of natural resources.
The government will encourage citizens to stop using dilapidated vehicles. After the standardization system is completed, it will check vehicles by measuring the release of polluting emissions.
Provinces have also been asked to support families and small businesses to stop using coal and honeycomb charcoal in their homes, starting from the beginning of 2021.
