Nearly every scooter decision in Vietnam starts with class: 110, 125 or 155-160cc. The classes overlap less than buyers assume, and the right answer depends on load, terrain and route - not prestige. This framework uses verified manufacturer figures (retrieved 23 September 2026).
The 110 class: city minimalism
Honda’s Vision 110 is the archetype: 97 kg, air-cooled, simple, cheap to run, with a 16-inch front wheel. Best for solo riders doing city errands at moderate speeds. Its limits appear with a pillion on a bridge ramp or on ring-road merges. See the Vision review and our 110 vs 125 explainer.
The 125 class: the national default
The 125s split into value (Janus 97 kg from 29,151,000 VND; FreeGo; Gear with 1.7 L/100km), practical (Lead and Latte with 37-litre bays) and premium (SH Mode with TFT and ABS; Vario 125 with liquid cooling and idling stop). Verified outputs run from 6.05 kW (Latte) to 8.48 kW (Vario 125) - a wide spread inside one class. A 125 carries two people and luggage at city speeds everywhere flat.
The 155-160 class: for loads, hills and highways
Verified outputs cluster at 11.3 kW (NVX, NMAX, Lexi, Vario 160) up to 12.4 kW (SH160i). This is the class that makes two-up bridge climbs, ring-road overtakes and regional touring relaxed rather than tense - our class guide ranks all of them with verified data.
Licence and cost notes
Vietnamese licence classes depend on engine capacity - our licence classes guide covers exactly what you can ride on each, which matters for foreigners renting monthly. Bigger classes cost more to buy, slightly more to run, and more to insure.
How to decide
Ride solo, flat city, budget first: 110 or value 125. Carry a passenger or cargo: strong 125 minimum. Hills, touring, or daily bridge commuting: 155-160. Then read the specific model guides - class is the frame, the model is the decision. Contact us to confirm current availability of anything you shortlist.