THE first VinFast cars will be tested in Europe on March 6 this year, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The cars will have to pass the most rigorous tests in order to ensure quality according to international standards.

VinFast’s Lux model is expected to meet the five-star Asean NCAP, which is the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries targeted to elevate vehicle safety standards, raising consumer awareness and encouraging a market for safer vehicles in the region. It’s also the highest standard for cars manufactured in Vietnam.

According to VinFast’s itinerary of car sales under the “Three zero” price policy that includes “zero depreciation, zero financial expense and zero interest rates”, if customers deposit from November 20, 2018 to before January 1, 2019, the prices for a Lux SA 2.0 is 1.136 billion dong ($48,882), Lux A 800 million dong and Fadil 336 million dong.

If they deposit from January 1, 2019 to before May 1, prices are 1.286 billion dong, 900 million dong and 359 million dong, respectively.

On Wednesday, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) delegation visited VinFast automobile and electric motorbike manufacturing complex in Cat Hai Island district in the northern city of Hai Phong.

The trip was part of the high-ranking Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) delegation visit to attend the second summit between the US and the DPRK in Hanoi and an official visit to Vietnam by DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-un.

The delegation has more than 20 members including deputy chairmen of the WPK Ri Su-young, Kim Pyong-hee and O Su-yong and Minister of People’s Armed Forces No Kwang-chol and Provincial Party Secretary of Gangwon Park Yong-nam.

The delegation listened to representatives introducing their operations and business models for VinFast, Vinsmart and VinEco, which all are affiliates of property developer Vingroup.

On the same day, the delegation also visited hi-tech agriculture park VinEco in Vinh Bao district. VIET NAM NEWS/ANN