The capital is showing strong determination in the fight against plastic waste as the City People's Council has just officially passed an important Resolution stipulating measures to reduce plastic emissions in all aspects of life, from production, business, services to people's daily lives.
A notable point in this roadmap is that hotels and tourist areas in the area will have to completely stop circulating and using single-use plastic products and packaging from January 1, 2026.
From January 1, 2026, hotels and tourist areas in Hanoi will not be allowed to use disposable plastic products such as toothbrushes, razors, shampoo and shower gel packaging...
This decision marks a major turning point in Hanoi’s environmental protection efforts, aiming to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that is putting heavy pressure on the ecosystem and public health. The resolution not only targets common disposable plastic products but also sets a clear roadmap to stop the production, import, and use of non-biodegradable plastic packaging (such as non-biodegradable nylon bags, foam food containers) and products containing microplastics, except for products certified with the Vietnam eco-label.
Accordingly, from January 1, 2026, hotels and tourist areas in Hanoi will not be allowed to use and circulate disposable plastic products.
The new resolution passed by the Hanoi People’s Council has outlined a detailed and clear roadmap for each sector to effectively control and reduce plastic waste. This is a strategic step, demonstrating the capital’s strong determination in environmental protection.
The above regulations exclude the case of production for export and the case of production and import of biodegradable plastic packaging to pack products and goods sold on the market.
In the business and service sectors, Hanoi has set specific timelines to gradually eliminate single-use plastic products. From January 1, 2026, hotels and tourist areas in the area will be the pioneers in "saying no" to single-use plastic. This means that familiar items such as toothbrushes, razors, cotton swabs, shower caps, and small plastic packaging containing toothpaste, shower gel, body lotion, shampoo, and hair conditioner will no longer be allowed to be circulated and used.
This resolution is a concrete step by Hanoi to fulfill its commitment to reduce plastic waste emissions, protect the living environment and move towards sustainable urban development.
Accordingly, from January 1, 2027, markets and convenience stores will stop providing free biodegradable plastic bags. By early 2028, these units will have to completely stop circulating and using disposable plastic products as well as biodegradable plastic packaging (including biodegradable plastic bags and foam plastic boxes for packaging and containing food), except for products and goods that already have biodegradable plastic packaging.
The resolution also extends its scope to public areas and administrative agencies. From January 1, 2028, all agencies, units, organizations and unions under the city government will not be allowed to use disposable plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging. This regulation aims to promote a greener lifestyle, reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from daily activities and create a ripple effect in the community.
Faced with the above situation, to strengthen management and reduce plastic emissions in the area, and at the same time concretize the content at Point D, Clause 2, Article 28 of the Capital Law, the city believes that issuing a number of measures to reduce plastic emissions specifically for Hanoi is "extremely necessary, ensuring compliance with regulations".
Hanoi also specifically encourages agencies, organizations and individuals to proactively reduce plastic emissions earlier than the proposed roadmap. Units that apply the best techniques in plastic waste recycling will enjoy support and preferential policies from the city and the central government.
The harmful effects of plastic waste do not stop at polluting land, water, air and sea, but also directly threaten human health. According to the World Wildlife Fund in Vietnam (WWF - Vietnam), microplastics can enter the human body through water sources, air, or seafood, causing cell damage, inflammation, digestive disorders, allergies, and impaired liver and kidney function.
In addition, plastic pollution also negatively impacts the tourism industry – one of Hanoi's strengths – by causing loss of urban beauty, destroying natural landscapes, leading to a decrease in the number of tourists and seriously affecting revenue.
Faced with this urgent situation, the issuance of Hanoi's own measures to reduce plastic emissions is considered "extremely necessary", not only to strengthen environmental management but also to concretize the Capital Law, ensuring the suitability and effectiveness in environmental protection work, towards a green, clean and sustainable Hanoi.
