Vietnam’s VinFast has opened its first Middle East showroom in Dubai, bringing electric SUVs and an ambitious charging network to a region still heavily dependent on petrol and diesel vehicles.
The 950-square-metre facility in Al Barsha, developed with local partner Al Tayer Motors, marks a calculated bet on the Gulf’s nascent appetite for battery-powered mobility. Rather than the conventional showroom layout of gleaming floors and sales desks, VinFast has opted for what it calls a “living room” approach: softer lighting, informal seating areas, and interactive displays where visitors can explore the brand’s VF 8 SUV without immediate sales pressure. An adjacent workshop handles over-the-air software updates and routine servicing.
The timing is deliberate. Gulf states have begun setting clean energy targets, and several governments now offer incentives for EV buyers. Yet infrastructure remains patchy, and range anxiety persists in a region where summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C and weekend drives can stretch hundreds of kilometres.
Can VinFast’s batteries handle the heat?
VinFast says its vehicles have been engineered specifically for harsh climates. The battery thermal management system is designed to maintain performance during prolonged exposure to extreme heat, a crucial consideration when cars sit in open car parks under relentless sun. Cabin insulation is thicker than average, keeping road noise low and air conditioning efficient.
The VF 8, a mid-sized SUV with instant torque and a relatively quiet cabin, will be the marque’s lead model in the region. Pricing sits between $47,500 and $51,500, positioning it against conventional petrol SUVs rather than premium electric rivals. That places VinFast in direct competition with established brands in a price bracket where buyers are typically more conservative.
The recent launch event in Dubai.
Where will drivers charge?
Infrastructure is the other half of the equation. VinFast has partnered with Charge&Go to install fast-charging stations at shopping centres, beach resorts, and office complexes across the UAE. The aim is to make charging as routine as a coffee stop, with most top-ups completed in under 30 minutes.
Roadside assistance, provided through a partnership with the Arabian Automobile Association, covers six countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Services include emergency towing, transport to charging points, and battery jump-starts. For a market unfamiliar with EVs, that safety net may prove as important as the vehicles themselves.
What comes next?
Dubai is only the start. VinFast plans showrooms in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, working with regional partners including Al Mana Holdings and Bahwan Automobiles & Trading. The company has also outlined plans for travelling test-drive events, monthly subscription packages that bundle charging and maintenance, and pilot electric bus fleets for corporate and tourism use.
Ta Xuan Hien, VinFast’s Middle East CEO, says the goal is to prove that electric vehicles can deliver performance, reliability, and environmental benefits simultaneously. It’s a familiar pitch, but one that still needs proving in a region where fuel is cheap and charging points remain sparse.
Speaking at the event, he commented: “Today’s official brand launch in the Middle East marks an important step in VinFast’s journey to expand its presence in the global electric vehicle market. We are proud to partner with Gulf nations in the electrification revolution, offering smart and powerful electric vehicles with exceptional warranties, while gradually realizing our expansion plan in the Middle East and globally.”
VinFast already operates in the US, Canada, parts of Europe, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. Lessons from those markets, particularly around extreme weather and urban congestion, have informed its Gulf strategy. The company has adapted battery cooling, drivetrain calibration, and service protocols to suit local conditions.
The Al Barsha showroom runs partly on rooftop solar power, a nod to the sustainability narrative that underpins the brand’s positioning. Al Tayer Motors, which has been operating in the UAE since 1982, brings decades of retail experience and an established service network. That partnership could help VinFast navigate a market where brand recognition is low and buyer trust must be earned.
The launch event, held at Dubai’s Bluewaters Island, showcased the brand’s broader mobility ambitions. But the real test will come in the months ahead, as the first customers take delivery and begin living with electric vehicles in a climate and infrastructure environment very different from Europe or North America.
For now, the Dubai showroom offers a glimpse of what VinFast believes the future of Gulf motoring could look like: quieter, cleaner, and increasingly electric. Whether that vision gains traction will depend on how quickly charging infrastructure expands, how well the vehicles perform in daily use, and whether buyers can be persuaded to make the switch.
