Electric cars conquer Laos: VinFast now also in Vientiane!

Electric cars conquer Laos: VinFast now also in Vientiane!

On May 17, 2025, the Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) announced the launch of the Green SM Platform in Laos. With this initiative, GSM wants to promote the spread of electric vehicles in neighboring Vietnam. According to information from Vietnam.vn The company sells the VinFast VF3 and VF5 electric car models on the Laotian market.

Laos represents the second international market for GSM in the field of ride-hailing and electric vehicle sales, after the successful establishment in Vietnam. For more than a year, GSM has been active in the Laotian cities of Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Savannakhet and Champasak.

Driver opportunities and incentives

The Xanh SM platform allows VinFast electric vehicle owners in Laos to register as service drivers and thus generate additional income. Driver partners can earn up to 87% of sales, which underlines the attractiveness of this platform.

At the same time, GSM opened the first VinFast store on Kaysone Phomvihane Street in Vientiane and is the exclusive distributor of VinFast in Laos. In addition to the vehicles, interested buyers can also benefit from various incentives. The price of the VinFast VF5 is 450,297,000 kip (approximately $20,690, including VAT). Customers who make a deposit by May 31 will receive a direct rebate of $450 and a 50% discount on charging costs for two years. Alternatively, they can convert this discount into a $1,000 discount off the purchase price. This means total incentives for the VF5 can be up to $1,450, bringing the actual price down to around $19,240.

The VinFast VF3 is available at a price of 269,656,000 Kip (approximately $12,390). Again, buyers can take advantage of incentives to receive a direct rebate of $250 as well as a 50% discount on charging costs for two years or a cash rebate of $250 when they make a deposit by May 31st. The total incentives for the VF3 therefore add up to $500, bringing the price down to around $11,890.

The VinFast VF3 model

The VinFast VF3, a small electric car, is aimed specifically at Vietnamese drivers and is also intended for the US market, as announced in January 2024. Loud Car Motor and Sport The mini SUV has compact dimensions: 3.19 meters long, 1.68 meters wide and a height of 1.62 meters. The design of the vehicle is angular with a robust structure and high ground clearance, equipped with 16 inch standard wheels.

The VF3's interior is minimalistic, focusing on the controls on the steering wheel. Features include a 10-inch infotainment screen and a flat-bottomed steering wheel that makes entry easier. The small car offers space for up to five people and has a wheelbase of 2,075 millimeters. The trunk volume of 285 liters can be expanded to 549 liters when the rear seat is folded down.

The VF3 is powered by a 32 kW powerful electric motor on the rear axle with a torque of 110 Nm and an 18.64 kWh lithium-ion battery, which enables a range of up to 210 kilometers per battery charge. The charging time is 36 minutes from 10 to 70 percent, although the maximum charging power was not specified. In Vietnam the price is around 11,500 euros, with a rental model for the battery of around 8,500 euros plus monthly battery rentals of 33 to 73 euros, depending on the mileage. The VF3 also comes with a 7-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty.

The expected starting price for the VF3 in the USA is 20,000 dollars (approx. 18,273 euros), although the exact market launch in the USA and Europe for 2025 is still unclear.