On 1/8, select fuel stations in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hai Phong began trial sales of E10 biofuel, a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline—a higher ethanol content than the existing E5 blend (5% ethanol). Priced at 19,600 VND per liter, E10 is approximately 240 VND cheaper than RON 95-III. However, the new fuel has been met with a lukewarm reception on its first day.
At a Ho Chi Minh City fuel station on Pasteur Street (former District 3, Ward 6), the E10 pump stood alongside other fuel options, but inquiries remained scarce. Station attendants reported that E10 sales began on the afternoon of 27/7, yet customer interest has been minimal.
Hoang Anh, an office worker in former District 3, opted to try E10 but expressed reservations. "I support green fuels," she explained, "but I haven't seen anyone around me use it, so I'm still unsure. I'll try it out and see if it affects my vehicle's performance or fuel consumption before committing long-term."
Similarly, Thanh, a resident of Ben Nghe Ward, voiced concerns about E10's potential impact on engine longevity. "I've used E5 before and felt the engine sluggish and fuel consumption higher. I'm hesitant to try E10 now. I'll wait for feedback from other users," he stated.
E10 biofuel, with its reduced greenhouse gas emissions, offers environmental benefits. However, public acceptance takes time, particularly for those accustomed to E5.
Petrolimex is conducting E10 trial sales at 36 fuel stations across pre-merger Ho Chi Minh City to assess market demand and practical implementation.
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A customer fuels up with E10 at a gas station on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (Ho Chi Minh City). Photo: Thi Ha |
A customer fuels up with E10 at a gas station on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (Ho Chi Minh City). Photo: Thi Ha
In Hanoi, the PVOIL Nghia Tan station on Hoang Quoc Viet Street (Nghia Do Ward) saw steady traffic. Three E5 pumps were temporarily replaced with E10.
Quang Huy, a student residing in Nghia Do Ward, was among the first to purchase E10. "As a student, I want to contribute to environmental protection, especially with Hanoi's focus on green initiatives. E10 is also cheaper than the RON 95 I usually use, so I wanted to try it," Huy shared after filling his tank.
Sharing Huy's enthusiasm, Mai Lan from Dai Mo Ward chose E10 over RON 95. "I'm curious to see how this new fuel performs. I'll give it a try and then decide if I'll stick with it," she commented.
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An attendant at a gas station on Hoang Quoc Viet Street pumps E10 fuel for a customer on 1/8. Photo: Phuong Dung |
An attendant at a gas station on Hoang Quoc Viet Street pumps E10 fuel for a customer on 1/8. Photo: Phuong Dung
A PVOIL Nghia Tan representative reported over 200 liters of E10 sold in the first two hours of the morning. The station stocked 14,000 liters for the trial. Located near a hospital, market, and school, the station anticipates selling approximately 1,000 liters on the first day.
"All week, we've been selling fuel while explaining E10 to customers. We've also proactively contacted regular customers, inviting them to try it first to build confidence and ensure a smooth transition," the representative explained.
Besides Nghia Tan, three other Hanoi locations offer E10: Thai Thinh (Dong Da), Lien Ninh (Thanh Tri), and Chau Can (Phu Xuyen). Following Hanoi and Hai Phong, PVOIL plans to expand E10 blending to Da Nang and Quang Ngai, then throughout central Vietnam this month.
Despite these efforts, few customers actively inquired about E10. Most remained hesitant, agreeing to try it only after staff encouragement. Some drivers, like Cao Thang from Tay Mo, stuck with RON 95 due to concerns about biofuel quality. "I know E10 has 10% ethanol and a higher octane rating than E5, which is somewhat reassuring. But having just bought a new car, I need to be careful," he said.
On its first day, E10 remains unfamiliar to many. However, Vietnam plans to roll out this green fuel nationwide starting 1/1/2026.
Experts suggest that to increase consumer acceptance, distributors should strengthen communication, provide clear usage instructions and technical information about the new fuel. Independent assessments of E10's effectiveness and compatibility with common vehicle models in Vietnam are also crucial for building public confidence in the switch from conventional gasoline to biofuel.
Thi Ha - Phuong Dung
