Tesla has taken its first official step toward entering the Vietnamese automotive market after beginning recruitment operations in the Asian country and confirming that a company recruitment official expects operations to launch officially soon. This move follows Tesla's registration of a subsidiary under the name Tesla Motors Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City last September, with an operating capital estimated at approximately 77.7 billion dong, equivalent to about 3 million dollars, with a scope of business covering the import, wholesale, and retail of vehicles.
The five currently open positions include a sales manager, service manager, human resources partner, procurement manager, and a charging project developer, which is a clear indicator of the company's intention to build its famous fast-charging station network in the country, just as Tesla followed the same foundational approach in Thailand and the Philippines prior to launching its official operations there.
A Market Governed by Local Control
Tesla faces major challenges in a market where the local electric vehicle company VinFast enjoys dominant influence; VinFast managed to deliver 177,697 vehicles during the first nine months of 2026, capturing about 36% of the total automotive market in Vietnam, including internal combustion engine vehicles. VinFast's sales alone exceeded the combined sales of its five largest competitors in the country, and its small, economical models, such as the VF 3, topped the list of best-selling cars.
Operational and Infrastructure Challenges
Tesla intends to adopt an import strategy, likely bringing vehicles from its Shanghai factory, which exposes it to high customs duties under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. Charging infrastructure also poses an additional challenge, as V-Green, a sister company to VinFast, controls the dominant charging network in the country with massive plans to expand ultra-fast charging stations.
Conversely, the Vietnamese government's decision to extend the registration fee exemption for electric vehicles until the end of 2030 works in Tesla's favor, an exemption that also applies to imported vehicles. Despite the strong figures recorded by VinFast, a large portion of its delivery volume relies on the taxi and ride-hailing company Xanh SM, which is owned by the founder of the VinFast group.