Instrument displays have become a battleground in Vietnam’s scooter market: the same bike can carry a basic LCD in one version and a colour TFT screen in another, several million dong apart. Here is what each technology actually is, based on manufacturer product pages (retrieved 23 September 2026).

LCD panels

Monochrome liquid-crystal screens - typically dark segments on a light background or vice versa, readable and cheap. Current verified applications: Vario 160 (trip, speed, fuel consumption average and instant, battery voltage and warning lights), Vario 125 (adding an oil-change indicator and smart-key warnings), NVX 155 (enlarged, with rev counter and Y-Connect status), Latte 125, and the Air Blade family’s LCD meters. LCD does the job; it just does it in one colour.

TFT panels

Thin-film-transistor screens - full-colour, high-contrast displays that can show rich graphics, multiple layouts and, when connected, phone-derived information. Current verified applications:

  • Honda Sh mode 125 - 4.2-inch TFT, sharp display with multiple data readouts.
  • Honda SH160i - 4.2-inch TFT with Bluetooth connectivity through the My Honda+ app: vehicle status, service history, fuel consumption, parking location, and alerts including a low-fuel warning. The first Honda Vietnam model fitted with a TFT display.

What TFT actually adds

Practical value comes from the connected features, not the colours: fuel warnings before you run dry, parking-location memory in a city where parked bikes look identical, and service reminders. Those are genuinely useful in Hanoi daily riding. The colour display itself is a readability upgrade in strong sunlight and little more.

What to check

Version matters: display type varies within model ranges, and a spec sheet listing a model is not the same as listing the version. Our scooter spec sheet reading guide covers how to verify. On rentals, ask at pickup what the warning lamps mean - our warning lights guide covers the common ones across brands.

Bottom line

TFT with connectivity (SH160i) is a real upgrade; TFT without it (Sh mode) is partly styling; LCD remains perfectly adequate for most riders. Prioritise engine, brakes and fit over the dashboard - but enjoy the screen if the version you choose has one.