This is the sharpest sporty-scooter value question in Vietnam right now: Yamaha’s premium NMAX 155 or Honda’s aggressively priced Vario 160. Figures below are from the official Yamaha Vietnam and Honda Vietnam pages (retrieved 23 September 2026).
Power
The NMAX’s Blue Core 155.1 cc VVA engine makes 11.3 kW at 8,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The Vario 160’s 156.9 cc eSP+ makes 11.3 kW at 8,500 rpm and 14.1 Nm at 6,500 rpm. On paper they are inseparable - this is not a decision about speed. What VVA does at different rpm is explained in our VVA guide.
Braking hardware - the real difference
The NMAX has ABS on both wheels plus a traction control system. The Vario 160 has front-wheel ABS only. If you ride year-round through Hanoi’s wet season, that rear ABS plus TCS is genuine added safety, not marketing - see our ABS guide and our TCS vs ABS explainer. The Vario’s front ABS still beats drum-only rivals.
Weight and practicality
The Vario is lighter at 118 kg versus the NMAX’s 131 kg, with a lower seat (778 mm vs 770 mm - a near tie) and a 422 mm flat floor for boxes. The NMAX counters with 24 litres of underseat storage versus 17.9, plus a 7.1-litre tank versus 5.5.
Price
Yamaha lists the NMAX at 69,000,000 VND; Honda lists the Vario 160 The thao version at 56,690,000 VND. That gap buys the second ABS channel and traction control - you are paying premium money for premium safety hardware.
Verdict
Maximum safety hardware and brand prestige: NMAX 155. Best value 160-class sport scooter with a flat floor: Vario 160. Neither is among Nguyen Tu’s price-published rental models - contact us to confirm current availability. New riders should weigh the 131 kg kerb weight carefully in our kerb weight table before committing to the NMAX.