Japanese automaker Honda recently announced plans to celebrate 30 years of operation in Vietnam by launching limited edition motorcycle models inspired by the Spider-Man character.
This event marks Honda's long journey in one of the largest motorcycle markets in Southeast Asia.
Honda started operating in Vietnam in 1996 through a domestic production joint venture. Over the years, the company has become a dominant brand in the motorcycle industry with a market share of about 80%.
Gasoline car models such as Wave, Vision or Air Blade are commonly seen on the streets, from big cities to rural areas.
In addition to Honda, other Japanese automakers such as Yamaha Motor and Suzuki Motor also entered the Vietnamese market from the late 1990s. Yamaha is currently the second largest competitor with many scooter and manual transmission motorcycle models aimed at young users.
However, in recent years, traditional car manufacturers have also begun to participate in the electric car trend that is emerging in the Vietnamese market.
Yamaha has introduced the Neo’s electric motorcycle model in Vietnam since the end of 2022. This is the company's first electric vehicle model to be officially sold domestically, assembled in Vietnam and aimed at urban travel needs.
The car uses a lithium-ion battery, can travel about 70km after each charge and is designed for young users or short distance travel in the city.
Meanwhile, Honda has also begun testing electric vehicle models in the Vietnamese market. This is considered the company's initial step in its strategy to transition to electric vehicles in Asian markets.
The participation of Japanese automakers shows that the trend of electric motorbikes is gradually becoming more apparent, especially in large cities.
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, issues such as air pollution, traffic noise and fuel costs are increasingly concerned.
In that context, electric motorbikes are considered one of the solutions to help reduce emissions in urban traffic.
According to many market research, people in big cities are increasingly interested in electric vehicles when choosing new cars.
According to a survey conducted by market research company Asia Plus Inc. in September 2025 with 200 Vietnamese consumers, 54% said they would choose electric motorbikes for the next purchase, while only 24% still prioritize gasoline vehicles. In Hanoi alone, the rate of people choosing electric vehicles is up to 60%.
One of the prominent businesses in the field of electric motorbikes in Vietnam today is VinFast. The domestic automaker has developed many electric vehicle models and built a battery exchange system in major cities, to create convenience for users.
Meanwhile, governments in major cities are also studying policies to promote green transportation. Some plans aim to limit gasoline-powered motorbikes in the central area in the coming years to improve air quality.
However, gasoline motorcycles are still forecast to play a leading role in the Vietnamese market in the coming time. With tens of millions of vehicles in circulation and a production system that has been formed for many years, the transition to electric vehicles may take place step by step and take a lot of time.
