– BYD Sealion 6: Chinese automaker BYD has introduced the Sealion 6 hybrid SUV to the Vietnamese market. The starting price is around VND 799 million, with promotional offers for early buyers ([5]).

– Kia Sorento Hybrid 2025: Kia’s 2025 Sorento Hybrid is now available in Vietnam, with prices ranging from VND 1.299 billion to VND 1.499 billion, depending on the variant ([6]).

– GWM Tank 300 Hybrid: Great Wall Motors is set to launch the Tank 300 hybrid SUV in Vietnam. While the official price has not been disclosed, estimates suggest it will be around VND 1.5 billion ([7]).

These new hybrid offerings expand the choices available to Vietnamese consumers, catering to a range of preferences and budgets. The introduction of these models underscores the automotive industry’s commitment to providing environmentally friendly alternatives and aligns with Vietnam’s broader goals for sustainable development.

Tax Incentives to Support the Green Transition

One of the main barriers preventing hybrid vehicles from gaining broader market share is their relatively higher price compared to traditional gasoline or diesel counterparts. This cost difference is due to the added complexity of hybrid powertrains, including electric motors and batteries.

Under Vietnam’s current Special Consumption Tax (SCT) Law No. 27/2008/QH12, vehicles that run on a combination of gasoline and either electricity or bioenergy—where gasoline accounts for no more than 70% of total energy used—are eligible for a 30% tax reduction compared to similar conventional models. However, this tax break applies only to PHEVs (plug-in hybrids), which can be charged from an external power source.

In contrast, regular HEVs — where electricity is generated internally from gasoline combustion and cannot be plugged in, do not qualify for this incentive. As a result, buyers of HEVs in Vietnam are subject to SCT rates ranging from 35% to 150%, depending on engine size, along with registration fees of 10%–12%, just like buyers of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The good news is that a new draft amendment to SCT Law No. 27/2008/QH12 – is currently under consideration. This proposal recommends offering the same tax incentives to all hybrid vehicles, regardless of whether they are HEVs or PHEVs. Specifically, it suggests applying a 30% reduction in the special consumption tax rate compared to gasoline-powered vehicles ([8]). If approved, this change would significantly boost the appeal of HEVs in Vietnam by lowering their retail prices. Reduced prices would also translate to lower registration fees—potentially saving buyers ten to hundreds of millions of VND, depending on the model.

Hybrid vehicles produced between 2026 and 2030 are projected to reduce over 2.6 million tons of CO₂ emissions, delivering an estimated economic benefit of 333 billion VND through carbon credit offsets ([9]). While pure electric vehicles (EVs) remain the goal for decarbonizing transportation, widespread adoption faces barriers such as underdeveloped infrastructure, high costs, and limited model availability. In the meantime, hybrid vehicles, particularly hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) offer a practical and scalable solution. They significantly cut emissions compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, eliminate the need for external charging infrastructure, and can be rapidly produced using current manufacturing systems.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s hybrid car market is gaining strong momentum, with sales surging in early 2025 and continued growth expected through the end of the year. A wider range of models, growing consumer interest, and potential tax reforms are setting the stage for broader adoption. If proposed tax incentives are approved, HEVs could become far more competitive in the future. As EV adoption remains limited by infrastructure and cost barriers, hybrids offer a practical, lower-emission alternative that will likely play a key role in Vietnam’s transition to sustainable transportation over the next decade.

[1] Báo cáo bán hàng

[2] https://autopro.com.vn/mot-phan-khuc-o-to-am-tham-tang-toc-trong-3-thang-dau-nam-2025-lieu-co-dang-tao-ra-xu-huong-moi-cho-thi-truong-viet-177250506080207998.chn

[3] https://diendandoanhnghiep.vn/cho-doi-xe-hybrid-uu-dai-thue-10153945.html

[4] https://dantri.com.vn/o-to-xe-may/xe-moi-ra-mat-trong-thang-4-chuyen-dich-xanh-tren-thi-truong-o-to-viet-20250428121643086.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[5] https://dantri.com.vn/o-to-xe-may/xe-moi-ra-mat-trong-thang-4-chuyen-dich-xanh-tren-thi-truong-o-to-viet-20250428121643086.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[6] https://oto360.net/xe-kia/sorento-hybrid.html

[7] https://gotech.vn/gwm-tank-300/

[8] https://diendandoanhnghiep.vn/cho-doi-xe-hybrid-uu-dai-thue-10153945.html

[9]

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