VinFast Shows Off Automotive Prowess At Vietnam’s 80th National Day Parade
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At Vietnam’s recent National Day celebrations, homegrown automaker VinFast showcased a diverse range of vehicles, from bullet-tested armored cars to custom-built parade EVs, signaling the nation’s rising ambitions within the global automotive industry. This display highlighted Vietnam’s increasing capability to meet varied demands, from national defense to public ceremony, in a short span of time.
The “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” exhibition at the newly launched Vietnam Exposition Center in Hanoi featured the steel-clad Lac Hong 900 LX armored car. Its surface, marked by bullet impacts, stands as a testament to its rigorous testing. The exhibition commemorated Vietnam’s August Revolution of 1945 and the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1946, providing a public platform for VinFast’s advancements.
Simultaneously, open-top VinFast VF 9 vehicles, custom-built for ceremonial use, were seen for the first time during military and police parade rehearsals in Hanoi. These separate yet simultaneous displays underscored a significant message: a Vietnamese company can now fulfill a wide spectrum of automotive needs. Automotive analyst Đinh Văn Nam observed to Vietnamese media, “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.”
The Lac Hong 900 LX represents a notable technical achievement. Company data indicates the car endured 440 bullet shots and 11 explosive tests at the German Beschussamt Ulm center, achieving the European VPAM VR7 ballistic standard for head-of-state vehicles. This rating signifies its ability to withstand high-powered rifle fire and explosive charges, making it suitable for world leaders. It marks the first Vietnamese-made car to successfully undergo such independent testing. VinFast collaborated with INKAS, a Canadian firm specializing in armored vehicles, combining international expertise with domestic manufacturing, with final assembly completed at its Hai Phong factory.
Design elements of the Lac Hong 900 LX incorporate distinct Vietnamese identity, including a gold-plated Lạc bird logo — a mythical creature and national symbol — and a grill inspired by bamboo, representing resilience and unity. The interiors feature Golden Nanmu wood and Nappa leather. Beyond these cultural nods, the vehicle boasts technical milestones, like an extended wheelbase. Nguyễn Mạnh Thắng of WhatCarVN noted to Vietnamese media, “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.”
The special VF 9s demonstrate VinFast’s ability to rapidly adapt its technical capabilities for new applications. For the 80th anniversary National Day parade, VinFast delivered four specially modified open-top VF 9 vehicles at the request of the Ministry of Public Security. These vehicles underwent extensive modifications, including the removal of B, C, and D pillars, separation of the roof from the A pillar, new exterior paint, a redesigned front grill, refreshed leather interiors, and significant electrical system updates, requiring nearly 2,400 hours of labor.
Concurrently, VinFast supplied 12 white VF 9s custom-built for the Traffic Police. These vehicles featured further adjustments, such as a redesigned hood with removed ventilation ports and a new grill with horizontal bars. Each car was equipped with specialized equipment, including badges, flag mounts, lights, and sirens. VinFast engineers dedicated an estimated 60 to 80 hours to refine each vehicle to meet the demanding standards for ceremonial and operational duties during the festivities.
These newly designed vehicles, with their functional ceremonial upgrades, underscore VinFast’s capacity for adaptation and customization. In many countries, state parade and official patrol vehicles represent a specialized automotive segment demanding high reliability and strict protocol compliance. By meeting the stringent standards of Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Public Security, VinFast acquires credentials that could bolster its competitiveness for government fleet contracts internationally.
As the VF 9s traversed the parade ground and the armored doors of the Lac Hong 900 LX closed, VinFast conveyed a subtle yet profound message: Vietnam has secured a position within the global automotive value chain where high technical standards and rapid, tailored production are achievable. This represents a tangible step forward in the country’s industrial development.
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