Vietnam’s Commercial Vehicle Market: Trends, Performance and Outlook

How the Market Performed in Early 2026

Vietnam’s commercial vehicle sector started 2026 with strong momentum, then slowed after the Lunar New Year holiday. According to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association released in March 2026, total vehicle sales across all segments among VAMA member companies reached 46,153 units in the first two months of the year. That is a 39 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

The commercial vehicle segment recorded 6,542 units in February 2026, a 37 per cent decline from January. Cumulative sales for the first two months of 2026 show commercial vehicle deliveries among VAMA members increased by 51 per cent year on year. January 2026 recorded commercial vehicle sales of 7,334 units, a 59 per cent increase from January 2025. These figures represent sales from VAMA member manufacturers and do not include non-member brands such as Hyundai Thanh Cong, which reports separately.

According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the country’s gross domestic product grew 8.02 per cent in 2025, reflecting sustained economic expansion that supports freight demand.

Sales performance across weight classes in early 2026 reflects fleet operators’ focus on efficiency and compliance with new regulations. Light commercial vehicles under six tonnes continue to dominate the market. Daytime truck bans remain in effect in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, restricting heavier vehicles from city centres during business hours.

Roads, Ports and Government Support

Infrastructure investment has reshaped the operating environment for commercial vehicles. According to the Ministry of Transport, more than 1,200 kilometres of the North-South Expressway were completed by the end of 2025, reducing travel times along the country’s primary logistics corridor.

Port capacity continues to expand. According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Cai Mep Thi Vai port complex processed 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2024. Total cargo throughput across Vietnamese seaports reached 501 million tonnes in the first seven months of 2024, the agency reported.

Emission standards have tightened. Euro 5 standards are now in effect for new vehicles, requiring fleet operators to upgrade their specifications. The government extended the registration tax exemption for battery electric vehicles until the end of February 2027 under Decree 10/2025, providing a continued incentive for electrification.

Electric buses are entering service. In December 2025, Lien Ninh began operating the first units of its 111-electric-bus fleet in Hanoi, one of the largest electric bus deployments in the country. VinFast launched the EC Van electric cargo van in May 2025, expanding the range of electric commercial vehicles available to domestic fleet operators.

Brands in Competition

The commercial vehicle market features a mix of domestic assemblers and international brands. According to VAMA and Hyundai Thanh Cong’s separately reported data, Thaco Group reported commercial vehicle sales of 2,001 units in January 2026, a 98 per cent increase compared to January 2025. Hyundai Thanh Cong achieved total vehicle sales of 5,872 units in January 2026, a 91 per cent increase compared to January 2025, with commercial vehicles making up a significant portion of that total.

Ford Vietnam recorded 5,121 units across all segments in January 2026, according to the company’s reported sales figures. Isuzu, Hino and Toyota, all VAMA members, maintain established service networks across the country.

Chinese brands have entered the market in increasing numbers. According to customs data and industry reporting, seven Chinese automotive brands entered Vietnam in 2024, including Dongfeng, Howo and Foton, expanding the range of options available to price-sensitive fleet buyers.

How Different Vehicles Are Used

Light commercial vehicles under six tonnes account for approximately 58 per cent of the market by volume, according to VAMA sales data. The dominance of this segment reflects the daytime truck bans in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which effectively restrict heavier vehicles from urban delivery routes during peak hours.

Pick-up trucks remain the highest-selling individual category. Small business owners, traders and farmers are among the buyers, valuing the versatility of vehicles that can carry both cargo and passengers.

Medium and heavy trucks above six tonnes account for the majority of market revenue. According to industry analysis from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association and transport consultancies, heavy trucks alone represent nearly 51 per cent of total commercial vehicle revenue in the market. These vehicles operate on long-haul routes, container transport from ports to industrial zones, and bulk material movement for construction and mining projects.

Managing Fleets and Supply Chains

Telematics and GPS tracking are used by mid-sized and large fleets for route optimisation, fuel monitoring and driver performance analysis. According to registration data from the Vietnam Register, vehicles with engines under 150 horsepower account for 54 per cent of the commercial vehicle fleet, reflecting the dominance of light trucks and vans in urban and last-mile applications.

Congestion affects urban delivery efficiency. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, delivery vans in the city average speeds of 15 to 20 kilometres per hour due to traffic density, a factor that influences fleet operators’ vehicle selection and route planning.

Local assembly operations anchor the supply chain. Thaco operates assembly facilities in Chu Lai, Quang Nam Province, producing trucks, buses and passenger vehicles under multiple brands. Hyundai Thanh Cong operates assembly lines in Ninh Binh Province, supplying a significant portion of the domestic market. A portion of components is imported from regional and global supply chains, while local content continues to increase under government localization programmes.

Major logistics providers operate fleets of light trucks and vans in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and emerging secondary cities, supporting the growth of e-commerce and domestic manufacturing.

Regional Logistics and Operating Conditions

Vietnam’s commercial vehicle fleet operates across three distinct economic regions, each with its own freight patterns and infrastructure characteristics.

The Northern Key Economic Zone, centred around Hanoi and Hai Phong, handles electronics manufacturing and industrial freight. Medium and heavy trucks are used extensively for factory-to-port logistics in this region, moving goods from industrial parks to Hai Phong’s deep-water port facilities.

The Southern Key Economic Zone includes Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai. This region generates the highest concentration of commercial vehicle activity in the country, supporting manufacturing and export industries. Industrial parks in Binh Duong and Dong Nai alone account for a substantial portion of domestic freight movement, with light trucks handling last-mile distribution and heavy trucks moving containers to Cai Mep Thi Vai and Cat Lai ports.

The Central Highlands region produces coffee, rubber and cashew for export. Fleets in this region operate on mountainous terrain and make long hauls to coastal processing facilities in Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa provinces. Operators in this region prioritise durability and payload capacity over urban maneuverability, reflecting the distinct operating conditions.

Fleet operators tailor vehicle specifications to regional conditions, balancing payload capacity, durability and compliance with local traffic restrictions. The result is a market where no single vehicle configuration dominates nationally, but regional specialisation is the norm.