With no real choice, people are trying to “adapt” to E10 gasoline.
Driving the News: In recent days, videos have spread across social media showing people “shaking the fuel tanks” of both cars and motorbikes after using E10 gasoline. The trend quickly drew heavy engagement across multiple platforms.
- A Facebook account, Phạm Cường, posted one car-shaking video on his personal page, which has received more than 2.3 million views, 35,000 likes, and 2,300 shares.
- Another compilation video showing people “shaking their vehicles,” posted on a TikTok channel named Theanhtrending, has drawn well over 9 million views and over 300,000 likes.
- The topic “Reports of E10 gasoline causing vehicle malfunctions” also became a trending search on Threads. Many users said their vehicles stalled, lost acceleration, or consumed more fuel after using E10 gasoline.
Context: The trend originated from an interview with Associate Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Dũng, chairman of the Hồ Chí Minh City Association of Automobile and Power Equipment, aired by Việt Nam Television on May 22.
After a reporter mentioned the phenomenon of “phase separation” in E10 gasoline, Dũng warned that people should “shake the fuel tank” before starting the engine. Otherwise, he said, the pump would draw up the ethanol sitting at the bottom of the tank first, making the vehicle difficult to start.
- Regarding E10 gasoline’s moisture absorption, Dũng also advised users to either “fill only 1 to 1.5 liters” or “fill the tank completely” to limit moisture absorption. However, if a vehicle is left unused for 15 to 30 days, he said users should “drain all the gasoline.”
- According to Dũng, it is “inevitable” that users may feel their vehicles consume more fuel, run weaker, or overheat after using E10 gasoline.
- On May 26, speaking further with Dân Trí, Dũng said the advice was “for motorbikes, not for cars.”
- As of 4 p.m. on May 27, E10 RON 95-III gasoline was about 490 to 500 đồng cheaper than RON 95-III gasoline.
What the State Claims: On May 26, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Sinh Nhật Tân said regulators had “not received any official complaints” related to the quality of E5 or E10 biofuel gasoline or any negative effects on engine performance and longevity.
- Tân also said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade had decided to continue maintaining E5 RON92 gasoline until Dec. 31, 2030, to ensure different types of vehicles still have suitable fuel.
- Earlier, on May 19, the Domestic Market Management and Development Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a document asking provincial and municipal industry and trade departments to strengthen “communication,” “reminders” and “strict supervision” of fuel retailers from now until May 31 to support the transition to E10 gasoline sales under the official roadmap.
- On May 22, the Ministry of Industry and Trade sent a document to provincial and municipal people’s committees, requesting stronger communication activities on E10 gasoline.
What Remains Unclear: According to Tân, “the Ministry of Industry and Trade has decided to continue maintaining E5 RON92 until Dec. 31, 2030, to ensure different types of vehicles still have suitable fuel.” However, it remains unclear how gas stations would be handled if they do not sell E5 RON92.
State Media Omissions: After information emerged about the roadmap for switching to E10 gasoline, many social media users raised concerns about the fuel’s safety and compatibility with different types of machinery and vehicles. These concerns, however, have not appeared in state media coverage.
- A Facebook user—Phạm Thanh Nhân—said E10 gasoline is “incompatible” with many types of machinery, including chainsaws, grass cutters, water pumps, and generators, which are widely used in agriculture.
- Another account, Trịnh Hà, also shared an incident involving E10 gasoline. They said that after “filling the tank with E10-95III for the first time,” the vehicle ran normally for a short distance before suddenly stalling on the highway. The initial cause was identified as a “fuel pump failure.” The user added that after searching in online groups, they found “quite a few people like me,” meaning people whose fuel pumps failed after filling up.
- Another account, Nhà xe Minh Anh, also said that vehicles ran “sluggishly” and that engines became “noisier” after using the fuel.
- According to a VnExpress poll published on May 15, 2026, out of more than 4,500 votes recorded by 3:30 p.m. on May 26, 83% (nearly 3,800 votes) stated that they did not want to switch to E10. Only 13% (575 votes) needed more time to verify its quality, and only 2% (113 votes) were ready to use it immediately.
What Experts are Saying: According to the Vietnam Biofuels Association, increasing ethanol imports from the United States could help improve the bilateral trade balance at a time when the U.S. is imposing reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese goods.
Lăng Nguyên wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on May 28, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine has the copyrights to the English translation.
