Electric Revolution: VinFast’s Conquest of Southeast Asia

With the message “Green Journey – Connecting ASEAN”, the team overcame challenges in terrain, weather, and charging infrastructure to affirm the long-distance travel potential of “made in Vietnam” electric cars.

A 28-day, 10,000-km journey

The journey began in Hanoi, with a convoy of two VinFast VF 8 and VinFast VF 6 models traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, before exiting through the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh province) to begin their cross-border trip. The countries they visited included Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos, before returning to Vietnam through the Cau Treo border gate (Ha Tinh province).

Despite facing harsh hot weather, which sometimes limited the distance traveled after each full charge to about 200 km, the team successfully navigated each leg of the journey thanks to their previous cross-country experience and VinFast’s extensive charging network. When abroad, the members quickly familiarized themselves with local charging apps and international payment methods to ensure their vehicles were charged throughout the trip.

Memorable experiences in each country

In Cambodia, the team had the opportunity to explore the Angkor Wat ruins and network with entrepreneur Vathna, who is developing a charging station system in the country. However, charging costs at some privately operated stations (such as Total) remained high, posing a minor challenge for the journey.

In Thailand, the convoy experienced the country’s unique left-hand traffic system and immersed themselves in the traditional Songkran water festival, one of the most significant cultural events in the Land of Smiles. However, the customs clearance process was challenging due to strict regulations at the border, forcing the team to spend 12 hours processing paperwork through a tourism support unit. According to Thai customs, the VinFast convoy was one of the few Vietnamese groups to pass through that border gate in the last three months.

In Malaysia, despite its modern highway system with speed limits of up to 150 km/h, electric cars are not widely popular due to low fuel prices and a lack of widespread charging infrastructure. The team had to carefully plan to ensure sufficient energy for the long-distance legs.

The most remarkable point of the journey was when the VinFast models first rolled onto the streets of Singapore – one of the most demanding automotive markets in Southeast Asia. Many locals were surprised to learn that Vietnamese drivers could cross international borders in their electric vehicles. Questions like, “How did you get here from Vietnam in an electric car?” became memorable moments for the team members.

Finally, the team returned to Laos and Vietnam through the Cau Treo border gate, concluding their 28-day, 10,000-km journey across six nations safely.

Vietnamese Electric Cars Overcome Long-Distance Challenges

Throughout the journey, the VF 6 model performed stably even when fully loaded and traveling in harsh conditions. Phung The Trong, one of the team members, shared that the 170 horsepower output allowed for easy acceleration and overtaking on highways despite the full load. However, the actual range was about 300 km compared to the advertised 399 km due to high temperatures and weight.

Meanwhile, the VF 8 had previously encountered a temperature-related issue that reduced its power output. The cause was later identified as dust accumulation in the contact port of the air conditioner after continuous operation for several days. Thanks to their thorough preparation, which included repair tools, the team was able to fix the issue without technical support from the manufacturer.

Mr. Trong also shared that finding charging stations in Southeast Asian countries was generally not difficult thanks to local apps and international card payments. However, it was crucial to plan the route carefully, especially in countries with underdeveloped infrastructure or high charging costs.

Inspiring the Community

Beyond personal experiences, the Vietnam EV Rally 2025 also garnered significant attention in the countries the team visited. Many local YouTubers documented and shared videos of the VinFast convoy, attracting hundreds of thousands of views on social media. Local car owners were curious to learn more, including Mr. Justin, a 65-year-old Singaporean, who reached out to test drive the VF 6 and sent a heartfelt message of thanks: “We are all members of the ASEAN family. I am impressed that a Vietnamese brand like VinFast can produce its own electric cars and conquer international roads.”

Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Phung The Trong asserted, “This trip proves that cross-border travel by electric car is entirely feasible. From customs procedures to charging, everything was simpler than we imagined. If you’re used to traveling domestically, consider venturing further with your EV.”

TH (Tuoitrethudo)