Vietnam tops Southeast Asian EV market in H1 2026, driven by 115,916 VinFast sales

In the first half of 2026 (H1 2026), Vietnam recorded approximately 116,000 battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, giving EVs a 35.3% share of the market. The figure puts Vietnam ahead of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, making it the largest EV market in Southeast Asia.

What makes the figure even more striking is that 115,916 of those 116,000 BEVs were sold by a single brand: VinFast.

The dominance of a single local brand

Unlike the EV markets in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, which are predominantly led by Chinese marques, Vietnam's EV sector is almost entirely driven by VinFast alone.

In H1 2026, VinFast registered sales of 115,916 units, charting a 72% year-on-year growth. This marks the first time in Vietnam's automotive history that a carmaker has breached the 100,000-unit sales mark within a single half-year period.

Since October 2024, VinFast has maintained its position at the top of Vietnam's sales charts for 21 consecutive months. Commanding a market share of roughly 35.3%, it means one in every three new cars sold is a VinFast.

Second-placed Toyota registered 35,410 units in the first half, capturing just a 10.8% share. In the BEV segment, VinFast's sales volume essentially represents the entire category.

VinFast's robust sales performance is backed by a broad model lineup:

The Limo Green delivered 27,927 units in the first half of the year, emerging as Vietnam's best-selling model; the VF 3, hailed as the national EV, sold 23,781 units; the VF 5 (including Herio Green) shifted 20,167 units; while the VF 6, VF MPV 7, and VF 7 contributed 14,045 units, 9,177 units, and 6,849 units, respectively.

Virtually every model across its lineup dominates its respective market segment.

From private cars to taxi fleets

EV adoption in Vietnam is no longer confined to private car buyers.

In April 2026, Hanoi-based taxi operator Lavi Taxi inked an agreement with VinFast to replace its entire fleet of 2,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with VinFast EVs. Taxi drivers have reported monthly operational savings of roughly 2 to 3 million Vietnamese Dong after making the switch.

Several transport and taxi companies have deployed the Limo Green as their primary fleet model, cementing its role as VinFast's key sales pillar since deliveries commenced in August 2025.

Vietnam vs. Thailand

In Q1 2026, Thailand registered 57,147 BEVs against Vietnam's 53,685 units—a slim gap of just over 3,400 units. By the end of the first half, Vietnam's BEV sales surged to 116,000 units compared to Thailand's 104,418 units, seeing Vietnam officially overtake Thailand to claim the regional crown.

However, the market dynamics of both nations differ.

Thailand's EV market is heavily dominated by Chinese marques such as BYD, which command a staggering 91% share of the country's BEV space. In Vietnam, by contrast, Chinese brands account for less than 5% of pure EV sales.

While Thailand's EV sector charted faster overall growth (93%), its market penetration rate of 30.1% still trails behind Vietnam's 35.3%.

How one brand reshaped an entire market

A single homegrown marque driving an entire nation's green transition—Vietnam's trajectory remains unique across Southeast Asia.

From passenger cars to taxi fleets, and from private motorists to commercial transport operators, VinFast has single-handedly transformed Vietnam's automotive landscape.

While neighbouring EV markets in the region remain dominated by Chinese makes, Vietnam has relied on its national brand to leap from a contender into the undisputed regional market leader.