First things first, I’m not great at riding motorcycles; my balance as a human being isn’t stellar, keeping me away from all things two-wheeled. So, when VinFast invited me, along with a huge contingent of media and motovloggers, to visit Vietnam to take a peek at the e-scooters, I was skeptical at first.
I was curious, though, as we’ve known for a while that VinFast was set to launch their e-scooters in the Philippines soon, I wanted to find out what they had to offer, and most importantly, if they stood a chance in a segment that is widely regarded as even more competitive and cutthroat than the automotive market.
On our first day in Hanoi, we visited a 3S VinFast e-scooter dealership, complete with sales, service, and spare parts. The major highlight was that we got our first glimpse of the company’s version of a battery swapping station. It resembles a cabinet, each with a total of 6 slots, and it was located outside, hinting at weather-proof capabilities. We were even able to watch normal motorists use the swapping tech, which takes just a few minutes, almost akin to gassing up a normal scooter; you’re in, and you’re out very simply and quite impressively.
Our next day consisted of an in-depth look at the production process for e-scooters at VinFast’s Hai Phong manufacturing hub, located 2 hours from Hanoi. Image is important to VinFast, and that’s no more apparent than when you see the sprawling, well-appointed, and well-kept factory. We made our way to the scooter production line, and it’s as busy as you’d expect. According to the brand, this facility can churn out 1.2 million units per year, averaging about 4,000 to 5,000 units per day. This is even more impressive considering that most of the scooter production is still assembled by hand, with the robot assistance minimal, based on what I saw.
For context, the Vietnamese integration of the VinFast e-scooters has been rapidly rising. In 2025, they sold 450,000 e-scooters. In fact, VinFast is already second in Vietnam when looking at the whole two-wheel market, beating established brands like Yamaha, Suzuki, and others.
While VinFast produces and sells a wide array of scooter models, we were able to sample the three models that are going to be sold in the Philippines. The Evo is considered the entry-level model, next up is the Feliz, and taking up the top-of-the-line spot is the Viper. Each scooter is, as mentioned, battery-powered, but what makes it interesting is that you can opt to put in two batteries and use them at the same time. Two batteries will give you more range and a little bit more power. Full battery range is rated at around 145 to 150 kilometers for two, and 80 to 85 kilometers for 1 battery.
I braced myself for the hands-on test of the scooters themselves, since it would be my first time to actually “ride.” I was assigned the Viper, which is supposed to be the quickest and biggest of the three models, and after a few heart-racing moments of figuring out how to balance, I soon found myself properly enjoying the experience. I enjoyed how effortless the power delivery was, and that the silence of the powertrain made the whole ride relaxing and less intimidating. Other media representatives were brave enough to even water wade with some of the scooters, showing how sealed and safe the batteries are.
Since I’m not an expert, I made the rounds and spoke to my fellow media colleagues who actually ride, and they were gracious enough to answer some of my questions. According to them, VinFast's e-scooters are okay and enjoyable to the degree that they have instant torque and some speed. Quality is what you’d expect for the price point, with some saying the scooter felt “cheap,” and others saying they felt “okay.”
The next day, we had a press conference with VinFast Philippines executives who laid out the plans for the local launch. Some of the highlights include a promise of 30,000 battery swapping stations nationwide, each located either at the dealerships, shopping malls, or even in convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Each of these stations is targeted to cover a 5-kilometer radius between each swapping site. Should you want to charge the battery yourself, you may do so because each battery unit has its own charging slot, allowing owners to top up at home or at work without the need to plug the scooter in.
VinFast will also be launching a battery subscription program that they are targeting to offer at 500 pesos or less per month. In terms of warranty, the scooter and the battery will each be covered for 6 years, unlimited mileage. Price has yet to be announced, but in Vietnam, the entry-level Evo costs around P 50,000 (converted), which, according to most a competitive price. What we do know is that pre-orders will begin in June of 2026, with a July launch date to follow.
To really sum it all up, based on my novice look into this, the whole VinFast e-scooter ecosystem might be the brand's true success in the Philippines. While they do enjoy healthy sales now, when it comes to the car models that were brought about mainly by rising fuel costs, it took them years to establish any proper car sales they could be proud of.
The e-scooters will be different, as more people look to find affordable personal mobility. It makes sense to experiment with an affordable electric scooter for your daily transport. I personally am considering getting myself one as a means to move around the Metro more efficiently. Of course, this all hinges on VinFast living up to its promises of having enough battery swapping points, the dealership support, and most importantly, the right price. The latter seems to be the “make or break” with the more experienced motorcycle media saying one centavo too much could make all the difference in terms of sales success.
The ball is in your court now, VinFast. The market is ready, and we see the potential. All you have to do is lay it up properly.
Words and Photos by Pablo Salapantan
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