Vietnam EV Charging Stations to Disclose Prices by 2027

Overview

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has proposed a draft circular setting national technical standards for EV charging stations, requiring public stations to publicly display electricity consumption, unit price, service fees, charging time, and total payment. The regulation, effective July 1, 2027, aims to enhance consumer protection and standardize the country’s growing EV charging infrastructure. This affects operators of public charging stations, including listed entities like VNG Corporation (VNZ) on UPCOM.

Key Facts

• The draft circular requires public EV charging stations to display electricity consumption (kWh), unit price, service fees, charging time, and total payment.
• The regulation is expected to take effect on July 1, 2027.
• Existing charging stations will have 6 months to review and 24 months to rectify non-compliant items.
• Vietnam has about 6.7 million cars (3% electric) and 70 million motorbikes (4.3% electric).
• The World Bank estimates Vietnam needs about USD 2.2 billion by 2030 and USD 32.6 billion by 2050 for charging infrastructure.
• The draft also mandates monitoring systems for status, alerts, voltage, and power, plus data security measures.

What Happened

MOIT has released a draft circular on national technical standards for EV charging stations, aiming to create a unified framework for safety, measurement, operation, and consumer rights. The proposal requires charging stations to display key transaction details, including electricity consumption, unit price, service fees, charging time, and total payment, to help users control transactions and reduce billing disputes.

The draft also addresses technical requirements for stations integrating solar power, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or distributed sources, ensuring safety and preventing uncontrolled reverse power flow. For stations with network connectivity and electronic payments, the MOIT mandates authentication, authorization, data backup, and incident handling to prevent unauthorized interference. The regulation applies to stations in public areas, centralized parking lots, and rest stops, with additional building and fire safety requirements for stations inside buildings.

Market Context

VNG Corporation (VNZ), listed on UPCOM, closed at VND 640,000 on August 10, 2026. While VNG is primarily a technology and media company, its involvement in EV charging infrastructure is part of its broader digital ecosystem strategy. The new regulation could increase compliance costs for charging station operators, but it also signals regulatory clarity that may attract investment. Vietnam’s EV market is nascent, with only 3% of cars and 4.3% of motorbikes electric, but the government targets 50% of urban vehicles and all buses and taxis to be electric by 2030, driving demand for charging infrastructure.

Strategic Significance

For long-term investors, this regulation represents a step toward formalizing Vietnam’s EV charging market, which is critical for the country’s net-zero 2050 commitment. The transparency requirements could improve consumer trust and adoption, benefiting companies that operate compliant stations. However, operators must invest in metering, data management, and security systems, potentially raising capital expenditure. The regulation also aligns with international best practices, making the market more attractive to foreign investors and partners. VNG, with its technology expertise, could leverage this to strengthen its position in the digital mobility space.

What to Watch

• Final approval and publication of the circular by MOIT, with any changes to the effective date.
• Implementation guidelines and enforcement mechanisms from relevant authorities.
• Investment announcements from charging station operators to upgrade systems for compliance.
• Growth in EV sales and charging station deployments in Vietnam, especially in major cities.
• Any partnerships or joint ventures involving VNG and other players in the EV charging ecosystem.