At VinFast’s invitation, we flew to Vietnam with fellow motoring editors for an immersive look at Vingroup’s growing EV ecosystem. Hospitality throughout felt familiar to Filipino travelers—warm, food-centered, and attentive. The itinerary included airport shuttles and city rides in VF8s from Green Future (Vingroup’s EV rental and used-car arm), a full factory tour in Hai Phong, and a scenic test drive of the new VF MPV 7 on Hon Tre Island, home to Vinpearl Nha Trang.
Though not our first visit to Hai Phong, the facility’s scale and capability remain impressive. The complex spans 335 hectares and can produce up to 300,000 cars, 1.2 million electric scooters, and 3,000 electric buses annually. Automation is extensive—more than 1,200 ABB robots push the automation rate toward 90%—while a flexible workforce of over 18,000 staff keeps operations running across shifts. Unlike many factory tours, photography was allowed throughout the production lines, a sign of confidence in process and quality. Compared with last year’s visit, there were noticeably more finished e-scooters staged and ready for shipping.
From northern industry to southern leisure, we traveled by air, land and sea to Nha Trang—often called “the Hawaii of Vietnam.” From Cam Ranh International Airport we rode Limo Green Taxis to the Vinpearl Welcome Lounge, whose façade blends European grandeur with restrained elegance, then crossed to Hon Tre Island by Vinpearl’s private speedboats—about 20 minutes at 30+ knots. The island showcased Vinpearl’s breadth: landscaped beaches, a striking cable car, theme parks, and extensive resort facilities.
Vinpearl hosted the driving program and a live showcase of VinFast’s lineup: the Lac Hong 900 LX, VF9, VF7, VF MPV 7, VF6, VF3 and three e-scooter models. The EVO e-scooter stood out for its balance and ease; as someone who’s never ridden a scooter but can cycle, I adapted quickly and rode confidently. The Evo will be among VinFast’s initial battery-swapping models launching in July, with unofficial pricing around P70,000.
The highlight of our stay at Vinpearl was getting behind the wheel of the VF MPV 7. Although it’s already launched in the Philippines, none of us had driven it there yet, and the island resort provided an ideal setting. Positioned as a seven-seat family MPV, it measures 4,740 x 1,872 x 1,734 mm with a 2,840 mm wheelbase to maximize cabin space for multi-generational families. The powertrain pairs a 150-kW motor (280 Nm) with a 60.13-kWh battery rated up to 450 km on the NEDC cycle; fast charging from 10 to 70% is claimed at roughly 30 minutes. Practicality is strong: cargo capacity reaches 1,240 liters, 19-inch alloys are standard, and V-shaped LED DRLs give the MPV a contemporary face.
On a 10-kilometer route of twists, climbs and coastal views, the VF MPV 7 felt composed and eager off the line—immediate EV torque, responsive steering and expansive visibility combined into a comfortable daily-driving experience. The touchscreen-forward controls are intuitive, seats supportive, and legroom generous for my family of four plus a small dog.
VinFast launched the VF MPV 7 in the Philippines with competitive ownership options: PHP 1,518,000 with battery included, or PHP 1,239,000 with a battery subscription (PHP 2,700/month for up to 2,000 km; PHP 4,150/month beyond). Perks include free charging at V-Green stations in the Philippines until March 2029, a seven-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty and a 10-year/200,000-km battery warranty—solid assurances for Filipino families seeking a practical, modern MPV.
Beyond specs and pricing, what stood out was VinFast’s ecosystem thinking: rental and resale channels through Green Future, accessible charging, battery-subscription models, and visible manufacturing and logistics scale. These pillars lower barriers for new EV adopters and make ownership more predictable. After experiencing VinFast vehicles in urban shuttles, resort demos and factory tours, the brand’s rapid progress and integrated strategy are unmistakable. As one executive put it, “This is our standard.” And despite being a relatively young brand, they have set the bar high. Here’s hoping the Philippines can follow suit.
———
The VinFast VF MPV 7, along with the rest of VinFast Philippines’ lineup will be on display at the 10th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) from June 4 to 7, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. Gates will be open from 11am to 9pm on opening day, and 10am to 9pm from June 5 to 7.