Automotive: Vietnam auto sales drop 18 percent in August
Vietnam’s auto market slowed in August 2025, with sales falling sharply from the previous month, according to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).
This is normal for this time of year due to ‘Ghost Month’ on the lunar calendar, in which it is considered bad luck to make big purchases. The dates of Ghost month change each year, running from roughly August 4 to September 2 in 2025.
Total vehicle sales reached 21,688 units in August, down 18 percent from July’s 26,573 units but still 1 percent higher than August 2024.
Passenger cars dropped to 13,769 units, a decline of 25 percent month-on-month and 13 percent year-on-year.
Special-purpose vehicles fell slightly by 4 percent compared to July, though they remained 40 percent above the same month last year at 5,865 units.
Truck sales were 731 units, down 19 percent from July and 8 percent from a year earlier.
Buses posted the steepest decline, sliding 48 percent month-on-month and 55 percent year-on-year to just 21 units.
Hybrid vehicles were the only strong performer, rising 10 percent from July and surging 177 percent compared to August 2024, with 1,302 units sold.
The data highlights weakening consumer demand for passenger cars, while the bus and truck segments continue to struggle.
However, hybrids and special-purpose vehicles remain growth drivers, reflecting both industrial demand and shifting consumer preferences toward fuel-efficient models.
Vietnam’s automotive market in August underscored uneven performance across segments, with hybrids emerging as the standout growth category.
Note: These figures are for VAMA members only and therefore excludes several major car retailers. It is, however, useful as a broad reference for the direction of the market.
Vietnam VAMA member car sales, August 2025
| Aug-25 | Aug-24 | Jul-25 | Aug v Jul | Aug-25 v Aug-24 | |
| Total | 21,688 | 21,408 | 26,573 | -18% | 1% |
| Passenger cars | 13,769 | 15,898 | 18,343 | -25% | -13% |
| Special-purpose vehicles | 5,865 | 4,197 | 6,098 | -4% | 40% |
| Trucks | 731 | 796 | 906 | -19% | -8% |
| Buses | 21 | 47 | 40 | -48% | -55% |
| Hybrid vehicles | 1,302 | 470 | 1,186 | 10% | 177% |
