The Young and the Wealthy: A Glimpse into the Lives of Affluent Youth in Ho Chi Minh City

Owning a luxury car in your twenties is a dream for many. While some rely on parental support, others opt for bank loans or purchase pre-owned vehicles.

Tri Thức – ZNews chats with five young individuals about their experiences behind the wheel of high-end automobiles, ranging from Mercedes-Benz and BMW to Lexus and Volvo. These young drivers share their stories, including how they acquired their cars, their driving adventures, and any inconveniences they’ve encountered.

Diễm Quỳnh, a 22-year-old from Gò Vấp District in Ho Chi Minh City, drives a Volvo XC60 to school and work.

A Birthday Gift
Diễm Quỳnh (Age 22, Gò Vấp District, Ho Chi Minh City)

Upon graduating from high school, my parents gave me their Ford Everest (2017 model) for easier transportation to and from school.

While my home is in Gò Vấp District, my workplace is in Thủ Đức City, and my university is located in Bình Thạnh District. Traveling nearly 30 km every day between these three locations on a motorbike was inconvenient, especially during extreme weather conditions like intense heat or heavy rain.

However, as the Ford Everest is quite large and has a masculine design, I didn’t use it often. For my 21st birthday, my family gifted me a Volvo XC60.

Compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class or BMW X3, the Volvo XC60 exudes a more mature charm, perhaps beyond my years. Its design is inspired by Nordic aesthetics, featuring a classic black and brown interior. Nonetheless, as this gift was carefully chosen by my sister and father, I deeply cherish it.

Over the past two years of owning the XC60, I haven’t encountered any significant challenges. The car runs smoothly, offers a spacious trunk ideal for getaways with friends, and even has a sunroof, one of my favorite features.

Currently, I live in an apartment in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to fuel costs, I also spend around VND 3 million per month to park my car in the apartment building’s basement.

I’ve recently ordered a new electric car and am eagerly awaiting its delivery in April. This, too, is a gift from my family, with one difference: this time, I contributed 50% of the car’s cost.

Hiển Thị, a 26-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, received financial support from his family to purchase a Mercedes C300.

Family Support, Self-funded Maintenance
Hiển Thị (Age 26, Ho Chi Minh City)

In 2021, due to increased travel needs, my family decided to buy a car. As the primary driver, I persuaded them to choose the Mercedes-Benz C300. Being a content creator who frequently travels and meets people, I required a vehicle with sufficient “power” to meet my needs.

While it may not have the most aggressive design or the sportiest handling compared to BMW or Audi, the C300 strikes a perfect balance between athleticism and elegance. Moreover, as I’m not a speed enthusiast, the C300 was the ideal choice for me.

Although I couldn’t afford to buy the car myself, I can cover its maintenance costs with my salary. With minimal usage, the odometer reads only 30,000 km, and maintenance costs me about VND 5 million per service.

However, tire-related issues are the most expensive aspect of owning this car. Replacing a tire costs between VND 5-6 million. Aside from that, since I don’t have a private parking space, I spend an additional VND 1.7 million per month on parking fees. Fuel and toll expenses amount to approximately VND 2-2.5 million.

If given the opportunity to purchase another car, I would opt for a larger, more spacious vehicle better suited to Vietnam’s road conditions. While sedans offer a more enjoyable driving experience, they can be inconvenient when navigating rough terrain or flooded streets during the rainy season.

Nonetheless, even if I acquire a new car, I don’t plan to sell the Mercedes C300. Given the rapid depreciation of luxury vehicles, I fear taking a significant financial loss.

Quốc Phong, a 23-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, received a Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG as a gift from his parents when he started university.

A Gift for the New Student
Quốc Phong (Age 23, Ho Chi Minh City)

In 2020, my parents presented me with a Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG as a gift for starting university. This “steed” made my daily commute of over 10 km much more comfortable and protected me from the sun, rain, and pollution.

At the time, the C300 AMG cost over VND 2 billion, including registration fees. Just as I had dreamed since high school, the driving experience of this car is fantastic. Its interior is beautifully designed with a striking combination of red and black.

Maintenance, including tolls, costs around VND 10 million per month. However, I don’t consider this amount overly expensive. When you purchase a luxury car, you implicitly accept the higher costs associated with its upkeep.

The biggest challenge I face is finding parking spots in the city center. There are limited areas designated for parking or stopping, which can be inconvenient.

After three years behind the wheel, I still believe the C300 is the best choice in the VND 2 billion range. It offers a host of strengths, from its design to its engine. Currently, I don’t plan to buy another car, but this vehicle will undoubtedly serve as a stepping stone to acquiring more cars in the future.

Văn Công, a 30-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, took out a bank loan to purchase his dream car, a Lexus Luxury.

Bank Loan
Văn Công (Age 30, Ho Chi Minh City)

I’ve always admired Lexus vehicles for their durability and elegant design, which appeals to all ages. Currently, I’m the proud owner of a 2023 Lexus Luxury, which cost VND 5 billion, including registration fees.

I paid 50% of the car’s value upfront and took out a bank loan for the remaining amount. The interest rate on the loan is 6.8% per annum, which I willingly accepted to get my dream car sooner.

Due to the nature of my work, which involves frequent long-distance travel and business trips to other provinces, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the Lexus Luxury on extended journeys. I’ve found that the car runs smoothly and is relatively stable, meeting my needs perfectly.

Additionally, the automatic system works flawlessly, ensuring the driver’s safety at all times while on the road. Owning a luxury car, however, comes with constant worries about potential accidents and scratches. I’m always cautious when parking to avoid any damage that could lead to costly repairs.

The high cost of Lexus components and maintenance is another concern. The various insurance policies, such as physical damage and body shell insurance, also add to the financial burden.

Despite the challenges of affording a luxury car, I aspire to own other high-end vehicles like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in the future.

Hùng Cường, a 30-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, is delighted with his pre-owned BMW 320i.

Pre-owned Purchase
Hùng Cường (Age 30, Ho Chi Minh City)

When I learned that a relative was selling their BMW 320i for VND 800 million, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Thanks to my stable financial situation, I didn’t need a bank loan and was able to pay the full amount upfront.

As an enthusiast of sports cars, I was thrilled to get behind the wheel of the BMW 320i. The driving experience is smooth and exhilarating, and I’m more than satisfied with the price I paid. The car’s design and performance align perfectly with my personal preferences and usage needs.

I’ve been driving this car for two years now, and my enthusiasm hasn’t waned. In my opinion, BMW continues to excel within its segment, easily outperforming its competitors.

The only inconvenience I’ve encountered is the cooling system’s frequent malfunction. After researching online and consulting with other BMW owners, I learned that this is a common issue with BMW vehicles.

Each time I take the car for maintenance, I spend around VND 10 million, which is quite substantial compared to other car models. However, given my current financial situation, I can comfortably manage this expense.

If I were to consider another car, Porsche would be my only choice for an upgrade after owning a BMW.