The Government of Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a citywide programme to transition its public bus fleet to electric and green-energy vehicles, with the Department of Construction leading procurement and policy rollout to support a full conversion by 2030.
Under the roadmap, all newly procured or replaced buses from 2025 must meet green standards, while from 2030 onwards all buses in operation are required to be electric. The city plans to operate around 3,200 electric and green-energy buses within the next five years. Through competitive bidding for 108 subsidised bus routes in 2024–2025, priority was given to operators deploying electric vehicles, resulting in 627 electric buses entering service, accounting for 26.3% of the fleet. A further 454 electric buses are scheduled to be deployed in early 2026, increasing the share to 45.3%.
The programme is being implemented by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction and the Public Transport Management Centre as part of the city’s wider strategy to green urban transport. In parallel, the city plans to introduce low-emission zones in central areas and Can Gio from 2026, expand electrification to ride-hailing and delivery fleets, and develop charging infrastructure across 19 depots and parking sites. The transition is estimated to require more than VND2.2 trillion in support measures, including interest-rate subsidies for vehicles and charging facilities, and is aligned with Vietnam’s national target of achieving net-zero emissions before 2050.
