Leaving behind the sweet coastal roads of Da Nang and Quang Ngai, we embarked on our first mountain pass challenge, Violak, with dozens of continuous hairpin bends at an altitude of about 1,300 meters. This 30-kilometer stretch connects Ba To and Kon Plong. The excitement of climbing passes and hills returned as we ascended to the westernmost points in A Pa Chai (Dien Bien) and Lung Cu (Ha Giang). After the leisurely journey from Hanoi to Central Vietnam, we gently accelerated towards the dreamy Mang Den plateau.
For traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, climbing hills can feel sluggish due to the need for gear shifting (and possibly low power output from smaller engines). However, with hybrid vehicles, the transition is seamless and responsive, giving the driver the sensation of driving an electric car uphill without the lag in throttle response. The sun painted the valley on our left with a golden hue, while the wind whispered through the forest on our right as we navigated the winding road through the Mang Den pine forest, eventually reaching Kon Tum, where the sunlight danced on the surface of the Dak Bla River.
Stage 4 brought us back to the winding roads of the northwestern mountains as we traversed Violak Pass.
Toyota has made a strong impression during its 30 years in Vietnam, selling nearly one million vehicles and providing safe transportation for millions of journeys. In this particular trip, we aimed to connect all four extremities of the country in a journey of a million smiles. Dozens of hybrid vehicles—the cars of the present and the future—have traveled thousands of kilometers, from the mountainous northwest, through the northern delta to central Vietnam, and then up to the Central Highlands. We took our time, letting the breeze of Pleiku and Ayun Pa refresh our souls before reaching the coastal city of Tuy Hoa and then conquering the easternmost point, Mui Dien.
Mui Dien (also known as Mui Dai Lanh) is considered the first place in mainland Vietnam to greet the sunrise. It stretches into the deep blue sea, embodying the aspiration to bring goodness to life. Standing at the flagpole on the A8 marker, which asserts our maritime sovereignty, we felt immense pride. With three extremities conquered, only the southernmost point in Ca Mau remained to complete our journey across the country in hybrid vehicles.
The Toyota Caravan team checks in at Mui Dien, the easternmost point of the country.
Since 1995, Toyota Vietnam has been committed to improving the lives of local communities through various campaigns and initiatives, including greening school campuses, painting competitions, sponsoring youth football tournaments, providing music scholarships, promoting road safety, and supporting environmental protection and clean water projects. During this journey, we had the pleasure of visiting Tran Hung Dao Secondary School in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, where we had previously conducted a greening campaign, planting dozens of trees to provide shade for the students. An emotional Monday flag ceremony was held, and we donated books to encourage the students to continue striving for academic excellence and contribute to the development of their hometown.
Toyota presents books to students at Tran Hung Dao Secondary School in Phu Yen Province.
Toyota, with nearly 30 years of establishment and development in Vietnam, currently has the largest number of genuine dealerships, with almost 90 showrooms and service centers nationwide. These dealerships serve millions of customers annually. During this journey, we visited more than 30 dealerships and received warm welcomes everywhere we went. The local specialties, cultural exchanges, and, most importantly, the friendly and hospitable smiles embodied the spirit of Omotenashi that Toyota has always brought to its customers. After heartfelt farewells and firm handshakes, we continued our journey, traveling along National Highway 29 through the breathtakingly beautiful Ea So Nature Reserve and past the emerald Krong H’nang Lake, eventually arriving in the city of Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak) and connecting with Toyota dealerships across the country.
Stage 4 of the Toyota Caravan comes to an end, leaving fond memories for the team members.
Hybrid vehicles are considered the best fit for Vietnam’s driving conditions and infrastructure. They offer the optimal combination of the advantages of gasoline and electric cars. There’s no need for additional charging stations, and you get to experience the thrill of dynamic performance with excellent fuel efficiency (half that of a gasoline engine of the same capacity). Maintenance and repair costs are similar to those of traditional gasoline vehicles, but the driving experience is that of an electric car. Toyota was the first company to introduce hybrid vehicles to the global market (with the Prius in 1997) and to Vietnam. Consumers have come to understand and increasingly trust the brand’s hybrid lineup (including the Yaris Cross HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, Corolla Altis HEV, Innova Cross HEV, and Camry HEV), as evidenced by the steadily growing sales figures. Hybrid technology provides the ideal solution for the transition from fossil fuels to electric power. We are proud to have been a part of this journey, “Toyota’s Journey, the Journey of a Million Smiles,” connecting the four extremities of the country, fostering unity and love, and bringing smarter mobility and a brighter future to all.
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