VinFast Showcases Vietnam’s Strength Through Parade Innovation

VinFast Showcases Vietnam’s Strength Through Parade Innovation

From Parade Grounds to Ballistic Labs: Vietnam’s Auto Moment

VinFast didn’t just show up for Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebration—it made a statement. A quiet one, wrapped in steel and stitched in leather, but a statement nonetheless. From the bullet-scarred Lac Hong 900 LX armored car to the open-top VF 9 parade EVs, the homegrown automaker flexed its technical muscle and cultural pride in front of the world. VinFast Showcases Vietnam’s Strength Through Parade Innovation.

 

At the newly opened Vietnam Exposition Center in Hanoi, the Lac Hong 900 LX sat like a war-tested sentinel. Its surface bore the marks of 440 bullets and 11 explosive blasts—battle scars from rigorous testing at Germany’s Beschussamt Ulm facility. The armored vehicle passed the VPAM VR7 ballistic standard, the same rating required for head-of-state transport. That’s not just impressive—it’s elite.

Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, VinFast’s ceremonial VF 9s were rolling through parade rehearsals. Open-top, custom-built, and gleaming under the Hanoi sun, these EVs carried military and police units with quiet confidence. Two very different vehicles. One very clear message: Vietnam can now build for both defense and diplomacy.

Lac Hong 900 LX: Built to Withstand, Designed to Represent

Let’s start with the tank in a tuxedo—the Lac Hong 900 LX. Developed in collaboration with Canadian armored vehicle specialist INKAS, this flagship model blends international expertise with Vietnamese craftsmanship. Final assembly took place at VinFast’s Hai Phong factory, but the soul of the car is unmistakably local.

The grille is inspired by bamboo, a symbol of resilience. The gold-plated Lạc bird logo pays homage to Vietnamese mythology. Inside, you’ll find Golden Nanmu wood and Nappa leather, materials chosen not just for luxury but for cultural significance. It’s a rolling tribute to Vietnam’s heritage, wrapped in armor tough enough for global leaders.

And it’s not just about aesthetics. The wheelbase was extended by 20 centimeters compared to the VF 9, a feat that required serious engineering chops. As Nguyễn Mạnh Thắng of WhatCarVN noted, this kind of modification isn’t just cosmetic—it’s a manufacturing challenge that VinFast met head-on.

VF 9 Parade EVs: Custom Craft Meets Ceremonial Precision

If the Lac Hong 900 LX is about proving depth, the VF 9 parade EVs are about proving agility. At the request of the Ministry of Public Security, VinFast built four open-top VF 9s for ceremonial use. These weren’t just paint jobs—they were full-on transformations.

Engineers removed the B, C, and D pillars, separated the roof from the A pillar, redesigned the grille, refreshed the interiors, and rewired the electrical systems. Each car took roughly 600 hours to complete, totaling nearly 2,400 hours of labor. That’s a lot of coffee and precision welding.

In parallel, VinFast delivered 12 VF 9s in white for the Traffic Police. These came with redesigned hoods, horizontal grille bars, and specialized equipment like sirens, flag mounts, and lights. Each unit took 60 to 80 hours to refine, proving that VinFast isn’t just fast—it’s flexible.

A New Chapter in Vietnam’s Industrial Story

VinFast’s presence at the National Day celebration wasn’t just about showing off cars. It was about showing what Vietnam can do. The armored Lac Hong 900 LX and the ceremonial VF 9s represent two ends of a spectrum—security and ceremony, durability and design.

And they’re not just for show. By meeting the rigorous standards of the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Public Security, VinFast positions itself to compete for government fleet contracts abroad. That’s a big deal in a market where reliability and protocol compliance are non-negotiable.

As automotive analyst Đinh Văn Nam put it, Vietnam now joins the ranks of just 18 countries with domestic automotive brands capable of producing head-of-state vehicles. That’s not just progress—it’s prestige.

The Quiet Power of Presence

VinFast didn’t need fireworks to make its point. The vehicles spoke for themselves. The armored doors of the Lac Hong 900 LX closed with authority. The VF 9s rolled onto the parade ground with grace. No dramatic declarations. Just quiet confidence.

Vietnam’s industrial journey has come a long way—from rebuilding after war to building vehicles that meet global standards. And VinFast is leading that charge, one bulletproof panel and one ceremonial EV at a time.