The official Facebook page of the Suzhou city government posted a video on 25/6 detailing Taicang Port's record export activities, with 507,000 vehicles in the first five months of 2026, marking a 70% increase year-on-year. The post described it as 'a boom for China's car export industry'.

The post drew significant attention among the Vietnamese public because the video featured one thousand VinFast vehicles in Green SM taxi's distinctive green color. Many questioned why VinFast cars, manufactured in Vietnam, were at a Chinese port in a video about China's car exports.

VinFast electric vehicles with their distinctive green color at Taicang Port, Suzhou. Video: This is Suzhou

According to sources from VnExpress, this was a Green SM vehicle shipment en route from Hai Phong to Europe, preparing for the launch of its ride-hailing taxi service in several markets on the Old Continent. The vehicles were loaded onto the Grande Roma vessel at Hai Phong Port from 7-9/6, arrived at Taicang Port in Suzhou on 13/6, and remained there until 20/6. During this period, all vehicles were unloaded to the yard at Taicang Port.

Most of the vehicles were then transferred to a larger vessel named Grande Melbourne to continue their journey to Europe, expected to dock at Antwerp Port, Belgium, on 31/7, according to vessel tracking websites. The remaining vehicles will be transported by rail to Kazakhstan. Green SM launched its taxi service in Kazakhstan on 23/6. As this Central Asian country is landlocked, road transport is necessary for the vehicles.

The specific timeline and markets for Green SM's European presence have not yet been announced by the Vietnamese taxi company. However, some company members recently posted information about surveying four markets: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. These are likely to be the initial European markets where the Vietnamese taxi company will operate. Furthermore, recruitment advertisements for Green SM drivers have already appeared in the Netherlands.

Green SM taxi in Kazakhstan. Photo: GSM

Green SM was established in Vietnam in 2023 and currently operates a pure electric mobility ecosystem in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Kazakhstan. The company exclusively uses VinFast electric vehicles, operating on a unified technology platform and consistent standards across all markets.

My Anh