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Since 1 June 2026, E10 has replaced plain mineral petrol for petrol engines across Vietnam. Stations sell E10 alongside E5 RON92, which may still be blended until the end of 2030. If you self-drive this season you may wonder which to choose; here is the short answer.
The number after E is the share of bio-ethanol: about 10% in E10 and 5% in E5. RON is the octane rating. Pumps now usually offer E10 RON95 and E5 RON92.
Petrol cars approved for bio-petrol state which grade to use. The fuel type is usually marked on the filler flap or in the manual; ask the handover staff to be sure. Never put diesel in a petrol car, or the reverse.
Self-drive contracts usually hand over and return the car at the same fuel level. Fill up near the drop-off and keep the receipt; stations near expressways get busy before Tết.
Retail fuel prices are adjusted on a regular cycle, usually weekly, so estimate self-drive fuel costs from distance and the car's consumption. With a chauffeured car, fuel is already in the price.
At the station, two things must match: the fuel on the pump and the fuel your car is approved for.
| On the pump | Meaning | Typical rental use |
|---|---|---|
| E10 RON95 | Petrol with about 10% bio-ethanol, octane 95 | Newer petrol cars approved for bio-petrol |
| E5 RON92 | Petrol with about 5% bio-ethanol, octane 92 | Cars needing at least RON92 and approved for bio-petrol |
| Diesel (DO) | Fuel for diesel engines | Diesel vehicles only, often some 16-seaters and pickups |
Many filler flaps carry a label with the minimum octane or fuel type. If not, check the manual or ask at handover, and photograph the label for reference.
Putting diesel in a petrol car, or the reverse, causes serious damage, which is why you should photograph the label and check the nozzle before filling.
Fill up in the city the day before. On the morning of 4 February 2027, stations at city exits and near expressway ramps queue heavily.
Service areas have pumps but are busy at peak times. Top up at about half a tank rather than waiting until nearly empty.
Rural stations may close early or on the first day of Tết; fill up before New Year's Eve.
Refill to the level you received and keep the receipt. Stations near the city are busy on the afternoon of the 5th day, so refuel early.
Retail prices change on a regular cycle, so use a formula rather than a fixed figure:
Cost ≈ distance (km) × consumption (litres/100 km) ÷ 100 × pump price on the day.
Real consumption depends on load, air-conditioning, traffic and mountain roads; over Tết it is usually higher, with full cars and stop-start driving. With a chauffeured car, fuel and tolls are already in the price.
Families flying home at year's end can book an airport pick-up first (the driver tracks the flight, waits through delays, with no airport waiting fee) and collect a self-drive car the next day. At handover, ask the fuel type and the levels at pick-up and return, and photograph the fuel gauge and odometer.
Sleeper-train arrivals at Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang or Huế can book a station pick-up, then collect a self-drive car in that city where a handover point exists. Luggage guide: about 3 suitcases in a 4–5 seater, 4 in a 7-seater.
In cars approved by their makers, drivers usually notice no clear difference in normal driving.
Both are bio-petrol; in a suitable car, filling one after the other is common. Prioritise the car's minimum octane.
Ethanol petrol absorbs moisture over time; rental cars used regularly are rarely affected.
On long year-end drives, refuelling is part of the schedule, not an afterthought:
For families who would rather not think about it, a chauffeured car includes fuel and tolls; every quote gets 10% off, cars are 2022–2025 models and child seats come on request.
From December the north is cold, and engines use more in the first minutes of a morning start; no need for long idling, just drive gently until warm. The centre can still be rainy, so do not let the tank run low in case flooding forces a detour. The south is dry, and heavy air-conditioning raises consumption.
Five minutes here avoids confusion at return and at the pump. Foreign visitors collecting a self-drive car need a licence valid in Vietnam and their passport.
Check the label inside the fuel flap or the manual for how much ethanol the car accepts. On self-drive hire, ask at pickup which fuel to use and keep the receipts. If you fill with the wrong fuel, do not start the engine; call us for guidance. With a chauffeur, fuel is the driver's job and included in the price.
Self-drive petrol cars: a 4–5 seater or 7-seater; to skip fuel altogether, choose a car with driver. Documents for pick-up: self-drive rental documents.
Lock in dates near Tết early: Tết bookings need about a 10% deposit and quotes are always 10% off. Chauffeur prices include fuel and tolls; 8% VAT invoices on request.
Not in cars their makers approve for bio-petrol; check the label or ask at handover.
Since 1 June 2026, petrol for petrol engines has moved to E10; E5 RON92 is still sold alongside it.
Do not start it; push it from the pump and call the rental company.
Many are, but rural ones may close; fill up before New Year's Eve.
Distance × consumption ÷ 100 × pump price on the day.
Many use diesel; ask at handover and check the filler label.
Contracts usually require the same level; ask how shortfalls are charged.
Since 1 June 2026, petrol for petrol engines has moved to E10; E5 RON92 is still sold.
No; plan refuels by leg instead, which is safer.
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