Vietnam's cars and motorcycles adapt to nationwide E10 ethanol fuel

From 1 June 2026 Vietnam will require the use of E10 ethanol‑blended gasoline across the country, following the government decree issued in November 2025. Most new vehicles sold in Vietnam are already designed for fuels containing up to 10 % ethanol, with many motorcycles equipped with electronic fuel injection and fuel‑system components built to tolerate ethanol.

Honda Vietnam announced that “all motorcycle models produced, assembled, imported and officially distributed in Vietnam since 1997 are suitable for E10,” and that cars from 2006 onward are also compatible. The company advises owners to use fuel that meets quality standards, keep fuel‑system components in original condition and follow regular maintenance at authorized service centres.

Older vehicles that were built before the early 2000s may experience corrosion or material degradation when using E10. In markets such as the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, retrofitting older cars involves replacing fuel lines, seals, pump membranes and cleaning fuel tanks, with costs ranging from a few hundred to several thousand US dollars. In Vietnam, retrofit services are currently scarce because the proportion of vehicles needing modification is low, but the transition to E10 is expected to become widespread as the fuel shift proceeds.