The Best Cars to Buy This Tet Holiday for Under 500 Million VND

As the year draws to a close, Vietnam’s automotive market enters its peak season with many consumers looking to purchase new vehicles for the upcoming Tet holiday.

For those with a budget of VND 500 million, there are plenty of options to choose from, ranging from A-segment cars to B-segment sedans, as well as pure gasoline and electric vehicles.

VinFast’s Urban Electric Vehicle

Following the Wuling Mini EV, the VinFast VF 3 is the latest addition to the mini electric vehicle segment in Vietnam.

The smallest model in VinFast’s electric vehicle lineup boasts a powerful 43 horsepower electric motor with rear-wheel drive. Its dimensions measure 3,190 mm in length, 1,679 mm in width, and 1,622 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,075 mm.

The VinFast VF 3 is currently priced at VND 240 million for the battery leasing option, with the option to purchase the vehicle with the battery for VND 322 million. The battery leasing packages start at VND 900,000 per month and go up to VND 2.5 million per month, depending on the customer’s driving needs.

Recently, the VF 3 was named “Car of the Year” at the Car Awards 2024, beating out competitors such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Xforce, and Volkswagen Viloran.

In addition to the VF 3, VinFast also offers an urban electric SUV, the VF 5, which falls within the VND 500 million price range. The VF 5 has a starting price of VND 460 million or VND 468 million, depending on whether the customer chooses to lease or purchase the battery, respectively.

Positioned as an A-segment SUV, the VinFast VF 5 is equipped with a powerful 134 horsepower electric motor and a battery pack that delivers a maximum range of 326 km according to the NEDC cycle, or approximately 277 km based on the WLTP cycle.

One of the key advantages of VinFast electric vehicles is their access to the V-GREEN public charging network. This network comprises over 150,000 charging ports of varying capacities across 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, and it continues to expand.

Wuling Bingo Electric Vehicle

TMT Motors has recently introduced the Wuling Bingo, a hatchback/SUV in the A-segment, with four trim levels and a starting price of VND 349 million. Currently, the Bingo 333 and 410 versions are available to customers, priced at VND 399 million and VND 469 million, respectively.

Both the Bingo 333 and 410 are equipped with a 67 horsepower electric motor, generating 125-150 Nm of torque. The battery pack offers a range of 333 km or 410 km, respectively, based on the CLTC cycle, which is equivalent to 273-336 km according to the WLTP cycle.

One of the challenges for Wuling electric vehicles at this time is the limited charging infrastructure. The brand primarily targets customers who can charge their vehicles at home.

Overall, the Wuling Bingo is a suitable option for customers who primarily use their vehicles for urban commuting and have access to home charging. However, due to its narrow target audience, the Bingo’s sales figures are unlikely to make a significant impact, despite its competitive pricing.

Additionally, electric vehicles in Vietnam, including the Wuling Bingo, are currently exempt from registration fees until the end of February 2025, resulting in significant cost savings for customers.

A-Segment Gasoline Vehicles

The A-segment gasoline vehicles in Vietnam include small hatchbacks such as the Hyundai Grand i10, Toyota Wigo, and Kia Morning, as well as a range of small SUVs, including the Kia Sonet, Toyota Raize, and Hyundai Venue.

With the exception of the Kia Sonet, which is priced between VND 539 million and VND 624 million, all other A-segment gasoline vehicles are affordably priced below VND 500 million.

The Hyundai Grand i10, which received an upgrade in June, offers six trim levels with prices ranging from VND 360 million to VND 455 million. The Toyota Wigo, reintroduced in Vietnam last year, is available in two trim levels priced at VND 360 million and VND 405 million, respectively.

The Kia Morning, with five trim levels, has a price range of VND 349 million to VND 424 million. There are rumors circulating about the upcoming launch of the new-generation Kia Morning in Vietnam.

All small hatchbacks in this segment are powered by a 1.2L gasoline engine, producing between 83 and 87 horsepower. While the Toyota Wigo utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), both the Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning are equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

In the small SUV category, the Toyota Raize is priced from VND 498 million to VND 510 million, depending on the exterior color. The Hyundai Venue, following a price adjustment in June, now has two trim levels priced at VND 499 million and VND 539 million, respectively.

Both vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L turbocharged engine, with the Hyundai Venue generating 120 horsepower and the Toyota Raize producing 98 horsepower. Despite their competitive pricing, both the Toyota Raize and Hyundai Venue trail behind the Kia Sonet in terms of sales performance.

B-Segment Sedans

With recent price adjustments and new model launches, the B-segment sedan category now offers a wider range of options for those seeking vehicles under VND 500 million.

The Nissan Almera, with its new EL trim, is now available for VND 489 million. The Honda City G trim is priced at VND 499 million. The new-generation Hyundai Accent, despite a slight price increase, still offers two standard trim levels with manual and automatic transmissions, both priced below VND 500 million, at VND 439 million and VND 489 million, respectively.

Additionally, this segment includes several other affordable options, such as the Mitsubishi Attrage (VND 380 million to VND 490 million), Kia Soluto (VND 386 million to VND 449 million), and the Mazda2 sedan (VND 408 million to VND 508 million).

The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine is a common feature in this segment, found in the Honda City, Toyota Vios, Hyundai Accent, and Mazda2.

The Kia Soluto, on the other hand, is equipped with a 1.4L gasoline engine, while the Mitsubishi Attrage features a smaller 1.2L engine. The Nissan Almera stands out with its 1.0L turbocharged engine, the only one in this segment.

In addition to the aforementioned sedans, the MG5 is another affordable option, offering the spaciousness of a C-segment vehicle.

Affordable MPVs

In the affordable MPV segment in Vietnam, the Hyundai Stargazer is the only option with a starting price below VND 500 million.

Following an upgrade, the Hyundai Stargazer Standard trim is now available for VND 489 million, making it the most affordable option in its class.

However, customers opting for this trim level will have to compromise on certain features. For example, the ground clearance is reduced to 185 mm compared to 200 mm in the higher trims. Additionally, the Hyundai Stargazer Standard comes with 16-inch wheels, while the Stargazer X trims offer larger 17-inch wheels.

Under the hood, the Hyundai Stargazer is powered by a 1.5L gasoline engine that delivers 115 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While the Standard trim offers an attractive price point, particularly for those in the transportation business, it may not be the ideal choice for families due to its limited features and safety technologies.

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