State media claims that the new E10 biofuel mandate is a misunderstood necessity, but frustrated Vietnamese netizens are painting a vastly different picture online.
The Latest: On June 5, the Facebook page of Cần Thơ Newspaper and Radio-Television posted a video addressing the mandatory use of E10 gasoline. The outlet stated that public claims that people are “forced” to use the biofuel are merely a “misunderstanding.”
This declaration led to immediate public anger, arriving after five days in which consumers had no alternative fuel options at the pumps.
The Details: The video, titled “Being ‘forced’ to use E10 gasoline? Here is what many people are misunderstanding,” garnered more than 1,100 comments within four hours, dominated by critical and angry responses from consumers.
Addressing concerns regarding fuel quality and vehicle performance, Cần Thơ Newspaper reported that “competent authorities affirm that most motorbikes and cars currently in circulation can use E10 gasoline.”
- The outlet warned of “conflicting information streams” that are “not objective about the national policy to develop biofuels,” advising citizens to rely exclusively on official sources and to “avoid sha\ring or spreading information from unverified sources.”
Meanwhile, Đào Duy Anh, deputy director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, told VietnamNet that E10 sales accounted for more than 93% of total gasoline consumption nationwide during the first days of mandatory use.
- He reported that authorities had “not recorded any significant negative feedback from consumers.”
- The deputy director further defended the fuel, stating, “E10 gasoline has very good solubility. When pumped into the tank, it will clean away layers of dirt and residue that have accumulated for years in the fuel tank and fuel lines.”
- To further aid the transition, the ministry announced that it would soon publish a set of 85 questions and answers, alongside handbooks, leaflets, and posters with detailed guidance at gas stations.
However, direct quotes from the public tell a highly sarcastic and frustrated story.
- An account named Thế Cường commented, “No one is forced to use it, but if you don’t, then just walk.”
- Another user, Hoàng Long, suggested, “To answer whether people support E10 or not, just sell both types of gasoline. Keep selling A95 at about 5,000 đồng per liter more than E10 and see which one people use more. That will make it clear. No need to argue.”
- Thanh Thuy Mai wrote angrily, “No one is forcing anyone. If you like it, fill up. If not, then don’t. Kkk.”
- Tài Nhỏ added, “There are many choices, everyone. If you don’t like E10, you can fill up with diesel.”
- Another account, Thoại Thánh Thiện, noted, “Just conduct a survey and you’ll know. No need for orientation.”
As the video continues to receive high engagement, some accounts have begun asking, “Will the admin lock comments on this post?”
The Background: The government’s roadmap required consumers to exclusively use E10 biofuel—a gasoline blend consisting of 90% mineral gasoline and 10% bioethanol—starting on June 1. However, the fuel was already widely sold and used beginning May 15.
Previously, E10 gasoline had been sold on a trial basis in Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh City in August 2025, though the public considered the results of that trial to be unfavorable.
Why It Matters: While state media report that consumers have “positively received” and “agreed” with the use of E10 gasoline, experts and consumers continue to voice deep concerns.
On May 27, a VnExpress survey regarding the fuel garnered nearly 50,000 votes before someone hid its results. Before the concealment, more than 93% of respondents said they disagreed with using E10 gasoline.
Left with no other options, a trend of “shaking the fuel tank” has quickly spread across social media as citizens attempt to “adapt” to the phenomenon of phase separation—or fuel layering—associated with the blend.
Despite these highly visible public workarounds, the Ministry of Industry and Trade maintains that it has not received any complaints.
Hoàng Nam wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on June 5, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine has the copyrights to the English translation.
