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| Hue City encourages the development of green transportation. Photo: Hue Institute for Research and Development |
Promoting green transportation
Since 2022, Thua Thien Hue (now Hue City) has proactively cooperated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam to promote electric vehicles and develop green transportation.
Within the framework of the project “Promoting Sustainable Electric Mobility Transition in Viet Nam,” UNDP has supported the project “Supporting the Development of Electric Vehicle Transportation” for the city’s Women’s Union with a non-refundable grant of VND 2.3 billion. The program provides concessional loans to residents to purchase electric bicycles and electric motorbikes, starting with 200 vehicles, to promote the development of electric mobility. UNDP has also funded six specialized electric garbage trucks for the Hue Urban Environment and Public Works Joint Stock Company to pilot the use of electric vehicles in waste collection.
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| Bicycles - an environmentally friendly means of transport |
Mr. Cung Trong Cuong, Director of the Hue Institute for Research and Development, stated that green growth has become an inevitable choice and a goal pursued by all countries, including Viet Nam. In recent years, Hue City has implemented many key programs and projects in the transport sector, in which the development of green and electric transportation is considered a core task aligned with the city’s green growth orientation. The city has also actively implemented a public transport development scheme toward green mobility, linked to a roadmap for transitioning to electric vehicles. Encouraging bicycle use in the central area, along with plans to develop electric bus and tram systems, is regarded as a key solution contributing to shaping the city’s green transportation landscape in the future.
An appropriate development direction
According to the Institute of Strategy and Transport Development, under the roadmap for transitioning road motor vehicles by 2030, vehicles will use 100% E5 gasoline, while the production, assembly, and import of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles will be gradually restricted; charging infrastructure will be developed to meet the needs of residents and businesses. By 2050, 100% of vehicles will use electricity and green energy, with a fully developed nationwide charging infrastructure capable of meeting public and business demand.
Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Standing Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Hue City People’s Committee, said that in recent years, Hue has implemented projects and programs to develop green transportation, a circular economy, and climate change adaptation. The city has been actively rolling out a public transport scheme oriented toward green mobility and the transition to electric vehicles. Hue has cooperated with UNDP, ADB, GIZ, and KOICA to promote the development of a green transport system. These orientations have also been incorporated into the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Planning (now Hue City Planning) for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.
Mr. Cung Trong Cuong noted that electric transportation is one of the solutions to harmonize greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and socio-economic development in the energy sector. Green and electric transportation are being researched and promoted in Viet Nam to address air pollution, overloaded transport systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic safety. Hue has established a relatively comprehensive legal and research foundation for developing a public transport system connecting urban areas with residential zones and industrial parks.
The overall planning for the development of green-oriented public transport infrastructure is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on forming a main transport network, connecting infrastructure from Phong Dien to Chan May - Lang Co and linking with the national transport system via tram transit. The next phase aims to develop a modern public transport system in the city center and surrounding urban areas, prioritizing clean-energy vehicles such as electric cars, electric buses, ferries, electric bicycles, electric motorbikes, and public bicycle systems. At the same time, investment is being called for green transportation projects in the city. The design and development of intelligent public transport systems and supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles are also directions that will help improve transport operations, reduce congestion, lower pollution, save energy, and move toward the formation of a green city.