The products of the Russian automotive industry are consistently strengthening their presence in the Vietnamese market. This was announced by the Trade Representative of Russia in Vietnam, Vyacheslav Kharinov, summarizing the development of Russian-Vietnamese relations for 2025 at a press conference in Hanoi. According to him, cars and solutions in the field of high technology are becoming one of the key areas of bilateral economic cooperation.
One of the most illustrative examples of successful industrial cooperation, Kharinov called the car assembly enterprise "GAZ THANH DAT", created in 2019 with the support of the governments of the two countries. For six years now, GAZ cars have been consolidating their position in the Vietnamese market, while simultaneously developing exports to other countries in the region. In addition to GAZ, the Russian manufacturer KamAZ also operates in Vietnam, which forms a stable base for the presence of the domestic automotive industry in the republic.
Against this background, the entry of the flagship of the Russian passenger car industry, the AvtoVAZ concern, into the Vietnamese market is being worked out. According to Kharinov, the start of retail sales of Lada cars in Vietnam is scheduled for 2026. Preparatory work is already underway, including the creation of an official representative office, the search for potential partners, and testing of cars in local climatic conditions.
As part of this stage, AvtoVAZ sent nine Lada cars of various models and modifications to Vietnam. These cars are intended for certification and obtaining all the necessary permits to enter the local market. According to unofficial information, the delivery included Lada Granta, Vesta, Niva Legend and Niva Travel.
Reports of the brand's entry into the local market have become significant for many Vietnamese car enthusiasts: in the 1980s and 1990s, Lada cars, including models 2107 and Niva, were well known and widely used in the country. As part of the return to the market, Lada Granta and Vesta are presented in the sedan segment, as well as Niva Legend and Niva Travel SUVs. It is expected that the cost of sedans will start at approximately 360 million dong, and SUVs - about 390 million dong. This price level is considered attractive and comparable to offers for A-segment cars.
Lada Granta is considered an affordable B-segment sedan, equipped with a 1.6-liter engine and a manual or automatic transmission. The model is aimed at a mass buyer with basic transportation needs and low operating costs and will compete, in particular, with Mitsubishi Attrage.
Lada Vesta also belongs to the B-segment, but is positioned as a more modern and prestigious sedan with an updated design and an expanded set of amenities. In this class, it will have to compete with models such as Toyota Vios and Hyundai Accent.
In the SUV segment, the Lada Niva Legend retains its classic look with a two-door body and permanent all-wheel drive, targeting fans of off-road and retro style. Niva Travel is a more modern five-door version, characterized by greater practicality while maintaining the proprietary all-wheel drive scheme.
The appearance of photographs of Lada cars arriving in Vietnamese ports caused a noticeable response. The return of the brand is actively discussed on social networks, automotive forums and in the media, many express interest and enthusiasm. At the same time, there are also restrained assessments. It is noted that the design of the cars looks quite simple, the equipment is limited, and modern driver assistance systems and advanced safety technologies are absent.
Additional questions are raised by the initial stage of the formation of an official distribution network, which may complicate warranty and service maintenance. All this is happening against the background of fierce competition from Japanese, Korean and Chinese brands that have long been firmly represented in the Vietnamese market.