Tet Shopping made easy with the Honda CR-V

Why choose the Honda CR-V for Tet shopping?

First and foremost, the Honda CR-V is a practical car! Here, practicality is seen in a positive light, meaning it is effective and economical.

Spacious interior

In terms of efficiency, the CR-V can accommodate up to 7 people in the same 5+2 crossover segment. Moreover, the rear seats can be folded down to create a model that comfortably fits 5 people, with ample trunk space to bring home all the Tet necessities.

Compared to its competitors, the Honda CR-V is highly praised for its spaciousness, panoramic sunroof, and one of the widest interiors in its segment. This spaciousness and convenience have won the hearts of many customers, making it the perfect choice for our shopping trip to the countryside.

Fuel efficiency

Despite carrying up to 7 passengers, the Honda CR-V surprisingly has low fuel consumption – just under 6L / 100km on the highway, and even lower when driven continuously. This fuel efficiency is comparable to popular 5-seater models, making it remarkable for a high-performing car.

Additionally, the VTEC Turbo 1.5L engine combined with the CVT continuously variable transmission in the CR-V delivers 188 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. This enables confident driving and smooth overtaking, even on mountainous roads.

Safe operation

We chose to do our Tet shopping in the provinces of Hoa Binh and Son La, which are located on the well-known Northwest route. This road, although not long in distance, is winding and treacherous, with steep slopes and high passes that can be challenging for drivers.

In addition, the pre-Tet period often has unfavorable weather conditions. Just passing through Hoa Binh city and reaching the Cun slope area, clouds can abruptly pour down, leading to restricted visibility (often below 10m), wet roads, and reduced traction.

In such conditions, driving a modern vehicle like the Honda CR-V helps minimize risks and significantly improves safety. The CR-V’s Honda Sensing package automatically follows the vehicle in front, warns and assists in steering if the vehicle deviates from the lane, keeps the vehicle within the correct lane, supports braking to minimize collisions, and adjusts lighting for optimal visibility.

Not to mention, Honda models have always been highly regarded for their “good driving” tradition. The joy of driving comes from a steering wheel that provides accurate feedback from the road surface. This enables drivers to confidently adjust the steering and control the vehicle’s trajectory through winding sections with sharp turns.

In reality…

The Honda CR-V has perfectly met our expectations, just as we predicted. With only 800,000 VND spent on petrol, the car was able to comfortably transport 4 adults to explore local markets in Tan Lac district and even venture further into Lac Son district in Hoa Binh province.

Our chosen shopping destination was Ngoc My market in Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province. This market opens only twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Here, locals gather to trade high-quality agricultural and food products.

Visitors from afar can easily find locally raised chickens, ducks, fish, pigs, as well as naturally grown fruits, vegetables, and even rural “specialties” that are hard to find in Hanoi. An example is the Cat Meo cabbage and fresh crawfish caught from small streams.

Similar to other rural markets, the food and groceries sold at Ngoc My market are much cheaper than in the city. Especially, the prices of vegetables and fruits are only half the price compared to city markets.

Along the road from Ngoc My market to National Highway 6, we found stalls showcasing ripe pomelos attractively displayed by local sellers. We quickly loaded two tarps full of pomelos, each selling for 8-12,000 VND depending on weight and size. They were plump and juicy – true bargains that are hard to find in the city.

Driving along rough and gravelly roads, the Honda CR-V maneuvered its way to a cam forest. We were allowed to pick our own oranges, neatly packed them into cardboard boxes, and loaded them onto the car. This experience was enjoyable and even considered a stress-reliever for office workers.

With a trunk already filled with rustic Tet gifts, the Honda CR-V started its journey back to Hanoi to find peach blossoms for Tet. Passing through foggy mountainous roads with low visibility, the car brought us to Van Ho district in Son La province. Small low-roofed houses lined both sides of the road. The Honda CR-V turned onto a small dirt road, venturing further into the mountains.

Through the fog hanging in the mountains, the CR-V guided us to a small valley filled with the cold of the Northwestern region, showcasing peach blossom and apricot orchards blooming alongside the roadside.

After admiring and selecting flowers from the garden, we finally picked a large wild peach branch that three people could embrace for only 100,000 VND. The owner told us that if we bought from vendors along the national highway, the price could be 5-6 times higher.

Securing the large peach branch, the Honda CR-V returned to the capital city. With 500,000 VND spent on petrol, the car had more than enough fuel to bring us home. After some quick calculations, we spent only 1.3 million VND on petrol and about 3 million VND on Tet gifts, well within our budget of 5 million VND. Even after the shopping trip, we still had more than 600,000 VND left – enough to enjoy food and coffee along the way.

In conclusion, the Honda CR-V deserves special praise! Its spacious seating, roomy trunk, excellent performance, and advanced safety features enabled us to embark on a safe journey through the Northwest region despite challenging weather conditions and unfavorable roads. The car allowed us to bring Tet home safely while staying within our budget.

Mr. Phan (Tuoitrethudo)