2004 Press Releases

U.S.-AEP, Vietnam Register and Ford Vietnam Host Workshop on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Vietnam

May 13, 2004

The U.S.-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP), a program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Vietnam Register and Ford Vietnam hosted a national workshop entitled "Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Vietnam" May 13-14 in Hanoi. The workshop highlighted the important linkages between adverse health effects and air pollution caused by vehicle and motorbike emissions in cities.

During the workshop experts from Vietnam, China, Thailand, and the U.S. stressed the importance of developing a national strategy for cleaner fuel and vehicle emissions, and offered recommendations on ways to improve air quality through tighter standards, new emission control technologies, alternative fuels, and economic policy instruments.

The activity follows on support US-AEP, Ford Vietnam and the World Bank provided that resulted in the phase-out leaded gasoline in 2001. To achieve the goals of cleaner fuels and vehicles in Vietnam, formal development of a medium term fuel quality and vehicle emission strategy is needed.

The dramatic rise in use of motorbikes, buses and cars is contributing to unhealthy air quality in large Vietnamese cities, with increasing emissions of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. In Vietnam, the levels of potentially harmful chemicals in fuel are still relatively high compared to many other countries.

Dr. Robert O'Keefe, Vice President of the Health Effects Institute in Boston, USA summarized the findings of hundreds of studies around the world on the health effects of air pollution. He noted that levels of emissions from vehicles are positively correlated with heart, brain and respiratory problems, as well as cancer, particularly among sensitive populations such as children and the elderly.

Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, Deputy Director General of the Pollution Control Department, Thailand said that in 1993 between 2,100 to 5,500 premature deaths were attributed to air pollution in Bangkok. Since introduction of cleaner fuels and emissions standards, the air in Bangkok has improved significantly. Experiences from regional countries such as China and Thailand demonstrated the importance of developing a strategy before air pollution becomes severe.

Dr. Fu Lixin from Tsinghua University in China noted that strong governance and a science-based approach are needed for effective management of air pollution. China has developed a national strategy for clean fuels and vehicles, including restrictions on motorcycles and old vehicles, introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, and enforcement of stringent emissions standards.

Mr. Pham Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of the Vehicle Quality Department at Vietnam Register, described a proposed project for a new vehicle emission testing center that will allow Vietnam Resister to enforce emission standards for vehicle manufacturers. Mr. Cao Xuan Vinh, Head of the Environmental Department described a plan by Vietnam Register to introduce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Vietnam for the transport sector. In addition, there are currently several pilot projects promoting cleaner fuels for transportation in Vietnam, including the introduction of LPG buses and motorcycles in Danang city.

Mrs. Hoang Thi Tinh of the Vietnam Standards Center (STAMEQ) explained that in the short term Vietnam would not need to spend much money to improve fuel quality because the vast majority of refined fuel is imported. However, Vietnam is building two new large refineries in Dung Quat and Nghi Son, which will greatly increase local production. In anticipation of this, STAMEQ is in the process of revising the current fuel standards in partnership with other relevant agencies such as PetroVietnam, Petrolimex and the Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Hung, Director of the Petroleum Processing Department at PetroVietnam spoke about the fuel quality and environmental issues related to the new refineries being build in Vietnam. He outlined the types of fuels and quality to be produced by the new refineries, which will be of higher quality than the current fuel standards, especially in terms of benzene and sulfur contents.

Knowing what the fuel standards will be in the future is critical to for the petroleum industry. "Vietnam is in the process of building two new refineries, the first of their kind in the country. It is urgent therefore, that the government tighten fuel quality specifications before the refineries are built in order to avoid the higher costs in the future of upgrading the technology of the refineries to meet stricter quality standards. This is an important lesson learned from the mistakes of many other countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka." Mrs. Phan Quynh Nhu, Clean Cities Coordinator at U.S.-AEP Vietnam.

Mr. Cornie Huizenga of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, (a regional project funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank) stressed that, "standards form the basis for investment decisions by the vehicle industry and fuel industry", and that based on experiences in other countries a "political mandate, an institutional mechanism and list of priority issues are vital."

Note to Journalists: Those wishing to learn more about the conference should call the U.S.-AEP/TSSC Program Coordinator Mr. Stanford Smith at (84-4) 936-2016, or the U.S.-AEP/TSSC Clean Cities Coordinator Mrs. Pham Thi Nhu at (84-4) 936-2017.