Vietnam’s Fossil-Fuel Motorcycle Ban Highlights Risks of Overreaching Environmental Policies

Vietnam’s recent announcement to ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds across central Hanoi by July 2026 reflects an ambitious campaign to tackle air pollution. While the goal of cleaner air is commendable, this sweeping mandate raises critical questions about governance, economic impact, and social equity — all vital concerns for countries striving to balance environmental goals with national prosperity. Are Ambitious Environmental Goals Trampling National Sovereignty and Economic Common Sense? Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s directive targets the bustling heart of a city where nearly 7 million motorcycles serve as the backbone of daily transportation for eight million residents. Motorcycles...