From petrol to power: Vietnam’s two-wheeler market embraces the green shift

From petrol to power: Vietnam’s two-wheeler market embraces the green shift

Vietnam’s green mobility transition is gaining momentum as electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers roll out large-scale trade-in programmes to swap old petrol-powered motorbikes for electric models, backed by generous price incentives.

VinFast’s nationwide campaign, “Swap Petrol for Electric – Co-Creating a Green Future with VinFast” Photo: VinFast

The shift comes amid growing public awareness of environmental issues and mounting pressure from local authorities to curb fossil-fuel use in urban areas.

VinFast’s nationwide campaign, “Swap Petrol for Electric – Co-Creating a Green Future with VinFast”, landed simultaneously in three major cities over the weekend of 26-27 July. The events at Aeon Mall Ha Dong in Hanoi, Vincom Plaza Long Xuyen in An Giang, and GO! Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa drew thousands of visitors for test rides and on-the-spot trade-ins of old petrol motorbikes for brand-new VinFast e-scooters.

At each venue, VinFast’s electric vehicle showcase quickly became a crowd magnet. Hundreds of e-scooters were displayed across thousands of square metres within the shopping malls, with sales teams reporting that stocks visibly thinned as customers decided to purchase on the spot.

Local dealers set up dedicated test ride zones with full staff support, ensuring visitors could experience the latest VinFast models in a safe and controlled environment. Test tracks were clearly marked, with trained staff guiding first-time riders through product features and handling tips. Popular models available for trial included the Motio, Evo Neo, Feliz Neo, and Vento Neo.

Many customers chose to complete the trade-in process during the events, swapping their old petrol motorbikes for electric scooters, or purchasing new units outright. The procedure was streamlined, with on-site technicians assessing trade-in vehicles, completing paperwork, and delivering the new bikes to customers within the same day. Participants praised the transparency and convenience of the system, which was further boosted by special discounts.

Under VinFast’s current promotion, part of its third “Relentless Vietnamese Spirit – For a Green Future” campaign, prices are up to 20 per cent lower than before, with an additional VND1 million ($40) incentive and dealer gifts for event-day deposits. The combination of live product experience, attractive financing, and immediate delivery made the events a key driver for EV adoption. VinFast plans to expand the roadshow to other provinces in the coming months to make the transition more accessible nationwide.

Meanwhile, Yadea Vietnam is running its own “Swap Petrol for Electric” campaign through the end of September, offering market-based trade-in valuations plus discounts of up to VND2 million ($80) for customers who switch.

According to Nguyen Dinh Tung, a representative of VinFast Ha Thanh, a single weekend event at Dam Sen Water Park in Ho Chi Minh City brought in more than 100 petrol motorbikes for trade-ins and 136 e-scooter sales. VinFast receives the old vehicles for subsequent processing, while Yadea channels its trade-in units to recycling companies for dismantling and environmentally compliant disposal.

The push for EV adoption has also extended to policy proposals. On July 23, VinFast’s parent group Vingroup submitted recommendations to Hanoi authorities for supplementary incentives to accelerate the petrol-to-electric shift in the capital. The proposal includes covering 100 per cent of registration fees and offering an additional 10 per cent discount on VinFast e-scooters for Hanoi residents, as well as extending free charging until May 2027.

If adopted, the policy would deliver significant savings. For instance, the Motio model, priced at VND12 million ($480), would see a VND1.2 million ($48) reduction, while the flagship Theon S would receive a discount of VND5.69 million ($228).

Consumer interest in e-scooters has been rising, particularly after reports that Ho Chi Minh City is considering restrictions on petrol motorbikes in the city centre. Several EV retailers noted an uptick in showroom visits, with many inquiries about battery safety and fire risks. Sales staff said that once customers were reassured about safety features, they were more willing to commit to a purchase.

By contrast, petrol motorbike dealers are experiencing a slowdown. The current lunar July period, traditionally a quieter sales month as many Vietnamese avoid major purchases, has been compounded by policy uncertainty and the EV shift. Several petrol bike shops have cut prices by a few hundred thousand VND ($12–$40) to over a million VND ($40) per unit to stimulate demand.

Industry observers say these developments reflect both a structural and behavioural shift in Vietnam’s two-wheeler market. With EV infrastructure expanding, policy incentives under discussion, and manufacturers aggressively promoting trade-in programmes, the move towards green mobility is no longer a niche trend but a mainstream market transition.

VIR