HANOI, Vietnam | September 2, 2025 – From a bullet-tested armored car to open-top parade
EVs, Vietnam’s homegrown automaker VinFast displayed striking range at its National Day
celebrations, signaling the country’s ambitions to join the ranks of top global automakers.
At the newly launched Vietnam Exposition Center in Hanoi, the steel-clad Lac Hong 900 LX
armored car sits on display, its surface marked by bullet impacts. It is a silent testament to
the trials it endured before making its public debut at the “80 Years of Independence –
Freedom – Happiness” exhibition. This exhibition commemorates Vietnam’s August Revolution
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of 1945, which ended colonial rule, and the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in
- The event put the spotlight on VinFast’s ambitions in a very public way.
Not far from the exhibition, another chapter of this ambition was unfolding on Hanoi’s parade
grounds. Here, open-top VinFast VF 9 vehicles—custom-built for ceremonial use—were seen
for the first time as military and police units rehearsed for the National Day parade on
September 2. While these two models appeared in different venues and at different moments,
their emergence points to a larger message: one company can now meet demands that range
from national defense to public ceremony. It is also a reminder of how much capability
Vietnam has built in a short span, reshaping the image of a nation once devastated by war.
“This is evidence that Vietnam is now able to manufacture vehicles on par with about 18
countries around the world that have their own domestic automotive brands,” said
automotive analyst Đinh Văn Nam, to Vietnamese media.
The Head-of-State Test
The technical achievement of the Lac Hong 900 LX is marked, first and foremost, by the marks
left on its armor: hundreds of bullet impacts and signs of mine blasts. According to company
data, the car endured 440 bullet shots and 11 explosive tests at the German Beschussamt
Ulm center, ultimately achieving the European VPAM VR7 ballistic standard for head-of-state
vehicles. This rating means the vehicle can withstand high-powered rifle fire and explosive
charges, a requirement for use by world leaders. It was the first Vietnamese-made car to
undergo and pass such independent testing.
VinFast did not work alone. The company collaborated with INKAS, a Canadian firm with
expertise in armored vehicles, to develop the Lac Hong 900 LX. In the process, VinFast
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combined international know-how with domestic manufacturing, completing final assembly
at its Hai Phong factory.
Design details carry unmistakable Vietnamese identity: the gold-plated Lac bird logo, a grille
inspired by bamboo, and wood and leather interiors using Golden Nanmu and Nappa. The Lac
bird is a mythical creature from Vietnamese folklore, often used as a national symbol. Bamboo
is another deeply rooted cultural motif, representing resilience and unity. These gestures of
local pride stand alongside technical milestones, such as an extended wheelbase.
“The Lac Hong 900 LX has a wheelbase extended by about 20 centimeters compared to the
VF 9. This not only increases the interior space, but also presents a real challenge in
automotive manufacturing,” observed Nguyen Manh Thang of WhatCarVN to Vietnamese
media.
Demonstration of Flexible Production
For the parade marking the 80th anniversary of National Day, VinFast completed four
specially modified open-top VF 9 vehicles at the request of the Ministry of Public Security. Each
of these cars underwent extensive alterations, including the removal of the B, C, and D pillars
and separation of the roof from the A pillar, along with a new exterior paint job, redesigned
front grille, refreshed leather interiors, and significant updates to the electrical system.
Completing these four ceremonial vehicles required nearly 2,400 hours of labor.
At the same time, VinFast delivered 12 VF 9s in white, custom-built for the Traffic Police. These
vehicles featured further adjustments, such as a redesigned hood with ventilation ports
removed and a new grille with horizontal bars. Each car was also fitted with specialized
equipment as required by the Traffic Police, including badges, flag mounts, lights, and sirens.
VinFast engineers spent an estimated 60 to 80 hours refining each of these vehicles to meet
the exacting standards for their ceremonial and operational duties during the National Day
festivities.
The vehicles themselves, with their newly designed grilles and functional ceremonial upgrades,
offer a demonstration of VinFast’s ability to adapt and customize. In most countries, vehicles
used for state parades or official patrol duties form a specialized segment of the automotive
market, demanding high reliability and strict compliance with protocol. By meeting the high
standards required by the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Public Security, VinFast gains
credentials that may help it compete for government fleet contracts abroad.
As the VF 9s roll onto the parade ground and the steel doors of the Lac Hong 900 LX close,
VinFast offers no dramatic declarations. The presence of these vehicles at A80 sends a quieter
message: Vietnam now occupies a place in the global auto value chain where high technical
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standards and rapid, tailored production are both in reach. It is a modest, real step forward
on the country’s industrial path.
For more information on VinFast’s lineup in the Philippines, visit https://vinfastauto.ph/.
Stay updated by following VinFast Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, or visit a
dealership near you.