Hanoi Truck Ban: How Will Freight Transport Be Affected?

“First near the market, second near the river, third near the road” – an old saying highlighting the importance of roads. However, the rapid increase of cars in Hanoi puts immense pressure on the traffic system. A proposed ban on cars entering Hanoi aims to reduce congestion, pollution, and create green spaces. How will this impact freight transport, particularly the use of trucks?

Hanoi’s Proposed Car Ban: An Overview

Goals of the Car Restriction

Restricting cars in certain areas of Hanoi aims to:

• Reduce traffic congestion: Hanoi faces severe congestion, especially during rush hour. Limiting personal vehicles is expected to alleviate this.
• Improve air quality: Vehicle emissions are a major source of air pollution. Restricting cars will significantly improve air quality.
• Prioritize public transportation: Limiting personal vehicles encourages the use of public transport like buses and elevated railways, reducing pressure on roads.

Scope and Restricted Vehicles

Currently, Hanoi hasn’t implemented a complete car ban. Instead, restrictions are based on time, route, and area.

Restricted vehicles:

• Personal cars
• Heavy trucks
• Buses

Frequently restricted areas:

• Old Quarter
• Certain central streets
• Narrow streets with high population density

Truck in Hanoi's inner city

Impact of the Car Ban on Truck Freight Transport

Challenges for the Transport Industry

• Limited operating hours: Bans on trucks entering the city center during certain hours force companies to reschedule, impacting efficiency.
• Increased transportation costs: Companies must find alternatives like renting warehouses outside the city and using smaller trucks for transfers, increasing costs.
• Difficulty reaching customers: Restrictions hinder delivering goods directly to customers.

Opportunities for Agile Transport Companies

• Increased demand for small-scale transport: Restrictions on large trucks create opportunities for smaller companies using light trucks and pickups for inner-city deliveries.
• Development of optimized logistics solutions: Companies can invest in technology and build smart logistics systems, optimizing processes and reducing costs.