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Renting a VinFast EV to drive home for Tết 2027 works best with a clear charging plan. At Tết 2026, electric cars made up a large share of self-drive demand in many cities, and roadside charging got busy. This guide covers charging, model choice and how to avoid the queues.
4–5 February and the afternoon of the 5th day of Tết are when many cars charge on the expressway. Charging early, late, or at your overnight stop saves waiting. At your destination, ask about nearby stations or slow charging at home.
Charging network policies change over time and vary by vehicle. On self-drive hire the renter pays for fuel, and charging works the same way unless the contract says otherwise; ask when you get your quote.
Small models suit the city and short hops; mid-size ones such as the VF 7 go further per charge and carry more Tết shopping. Big families should consider a 7-seater or a petrol car.
| Direction | Suggested charging | Tết note |
|---|---|---|
| HCMC – Mekong Delta | Expressway service areas, stations in Cần Thơ and Vĩnh Long | Busy on the morning of 4 Feb; charge fully overnight to need only one stop |
| HCMC – Đà Lạt, Bảo Lộc | Stations on Highway 20 and in Bảo Lộc | Climbs use more battery; descents regenerate some back |
| HCMC – Nha Trang | Stations along the eastern expressway, Phan Thiết, Phan Rang | Long leg; plan two stops paired with meals |
| Hanoi – Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa | Stations on the eastern North–South expressway and in town | Cold weather cuts range; keep a margin |
Use the charging network's app to check free chargers and power before arriving, and note two or three backups for each leg.
| Need | Suggested model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| City trips, 2–4 people | VF 5 | Compact, easy to park |
| Family of 4–5, nearby provinces | VF 7 | Larger boot, longer range per charge |
| Large family needing 7 seats | Ask which 7-seat EV is free, or pair with a petrol 7-seater | Ask about availability when booking |
Real range depends on speed, load, air-conditioning and weather; treat the maker's figure as a ceiling, not a typical result.
Families flying home for Tết can book a chauffeured airport pick-up (the driver tracks the flight, waits through delays, with no airport waiting fee), rest at home, and collect the self-drive EV the next day when fresh. That avoids driving an unfamiliar car straight after a long flight and leaves time for a full charge before the trip home.
Travellers arriving by sleeper train at Nha Trang or Đà Nẵng can book a station pick-up and collect a self-drive car in that city where a handover point is available.
If your planned station looks busy, move to a backup while you still have charge rather than queueing. If the battery runs low, switch to eco mode, slow down and turn off extras. Save the maker's support number and ours, and call before the battery is empty. Avoid running low in areas with few stations, especially on mountain roads at night.
Many shopping centres, new urban areas and larger attractions have chargers in their car parks. When planning spring outings, check whether your destination has one; if so, the family enjoys the visit while the car charges. In Ho Chi Minh City, if you visit the Nguyễn Huệ flower street, the car parks outside the closed area, so use a nearby car park with chargers.
A short expressway run. Charge fully at home on the evening of the 1st and you can do the round trip without stopping; if staying over, choose a hotel with a charger.
Leave full, charge in Bảo Lộc over lunch, arrive in Đà Lạt with a margin. Charge in the evening near the hotel. The return is largely downhill, so regeneration means fewer stops than on the way up.
A short expressway day trip. Cold weather cuts range, so keep a buffer and use the heater moderately.
For each trip, note main and backup stations, expected arrival times and who watches the battery. One person handling charging lets the driver focus on the road.
At pick-up, check the displayed charge and photograph it with the odometer. Ask how to open the charge port, the connector type, how to pay at stations and how to restart a session if the app errors. Test locking and unlocking with the card or phone before leaving. On return, charge to the agreed level; if you cannot, ask in advance how the difference is handled.
A big family with plenty of Tết luggage can split into two vehicles: a self-drive EV for the parents and children, flexible over the holiday, and a chauffeured 7- or 16-seater carrying grandparents and bags on the long trip home. The EV runs lighter for more range per charge, and older relatives travel in a roomy car with a driver who knows the road.
When booking, send one itinerary for both cars, showing who rides where, shared rest stops and the expected charge at each. Both cars stop together to charge and eat, then continue. Over Tết each car needs a deposit of about 10%; every quote gets 10% off, child seats are on request, and cars are 2022–2025 models.
In long jams an EV mostly spends charge on air-conditioning and screens, far less than at speed. To conserve: keep the AC moderate, use sunshades and pre-cool the car while still plugged in. Plan to arrive at each station with about 20% left in case of queues, and note two backup stations per leg.
Self-drive EVs: the VinFast VF 7, or the VF 5 for shorter trips. Not sure about EVs? See EV or petrol/diesel for the Tết trip.
Every quote is 10% off. With self-drive, fuel and tolls are on you, and petrol, diesel or a VinFast EV is your choice. Contracts are signed by both parties.
It comes with the charge level agreed in the contract; ask when booking.
A class B car licence, the same as for any car.
Slow-charge at home if the socket and wiring are safe; ask about the included charger, or choose a petrol car.
Yes, it drops; keep a margin in the north.
Ask which 7-seat EV is available, or pair with a petrol 7-seater.
Usually once, for example in Bảo Lộc; the return uses less as it is downhill.
Yes, about 10%; every quote gets 10% off.
Use the charging network's app for your car to see free chargers and power.
Yes, over Tết a full charge cuts the number of stops.
Continue to your noted backup station if range allows, or call us for the nearest alternative.
If you are planning a nearby route, Using a VinFast EV as a Wedding Car has more details to help you prepare.
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