Little-Known Fact: The All-Electric Armored Lac Hong 900 LX Is Built on the VinFast VF 9 Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

VinFast (NASDAQ:VFS) and armored vehicle manufacturer INKAS introduced the all-electric Lac Hong 900 LX, an armored SUV built on the VinFast VF 9 platform, announced Oct 3, 2025.

The Lac Hong 900 LX earned VPAM VR certification, withstanding over 400 live ballistic rounds and the simultaneous detonation of two DM51 hand grenades under the floor while protecting the high-voltage battery. A limited fleet was delivered to Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coincide with the country's 80th National Day.

The VF 9 consumer SUV offers an EPA range of 330 miles (Eco) and 291 miles (Plus), measures 201.5 inches, and includes a 10-year/125,000-mile warranty; current U.S. lease offer: $449/mo, $0 down.

Positive

• VPAM VR certification for high-level ballistic protection
• Withstood over 400 live ballistic rounds in third-party tests
• Survived simultaneous detonation of two DM51 grenades under floor
• Fleet delivered to Vietnam Ministry for 80th National Day (Oct 3, 2025)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Automotive Technology Expert

VinFast and INKAS® delivered a certified armored EV built on the VF 9 platform, demonstrating engineering and safety integration at scale.

The Lac Hong 900 LX pairs VinFast's VF 9 skateboard architecture with INKAS®'s armored systems to achieve rare certifications including VPAM VR and tests against blast scenarios that involved two detonated DM51 grenades and over 400 laser-guided rounds.

What it means: the VF 9 platform retained structural and battery protection sufficient for high-level ballistic and blast certification, showing the platform's robustness beyond consumer use.

Why it matters: demonstrable third-party ballistic and blast certifications validate the technical feasibility of converting a mass-market EV platform into a high-security vehicle, and the press release cites the formal delivery on October 3, 2025 tied to Vietnam's 80th National Day.

Security Vehicle Commercial Analyst

The Lac Hong 900 LX launch and government delivery signal a credible commercial use-case for armored EVs and brand positioning for VinFast.

The release reports limited-production delivery to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and frames the vehicle for heads of state and diplomatic transport, underlining a targeted, high-margin market application for the Lac Hong 900 LX.

What it means: VinFast gains a reference customer and symbolic national endorsement, which can support marketing and niche sales while distinguishing the VF 9 as a versatile platform.

Why it matters: a government fleet delivery and certified protective performance create tangible sales and reputational assets to monitor, with the concrete milestone of delivery on October 3, 2025.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that challenges conventional automotive engineering, VinFast, the pioneering Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer listed on the Nasdaq, has successfully collaborated with INKAS®, a globally leading armored vehicle manufacturer, to introduce a new class of secure electric transport.

The result of this intensive research and development effort is the Lac Hong 900 LX, an armored electric SUV designed to meet some of the highest international standards for ballistic and blast protection.

A Technical Triumph

Developed atop the structural foundation of the VinFast VF 9, VinFast's largest consumer model, the Lac Hong 900 LX marks a critical leap in the convergence of electric mobility and high-level security.

Leveraging advanced engineering methods and a rapid innovation cycle, VinFast and INKAS® overcame hurdles. The Lac Hong 900 LX integrates VinFast's cutting-edge EV skateboard platform with INKAS®'s decades-long expertise in armored systems. The final product has undergone rigorous, third-party ballistic and blast testing, yielding certifications rarely achieved by any electric vehicle platform.

The certifications are a testament to the vehicle's integrity: VPAM VR/-certified, providing high-level ballistic protection against rifle fire and armor-piercing threats; successfully withstood over 400 laser guided rounds during live ballistic testing; certified to withstand the simultaneous detonation of two DM51 hand grenades beneath critical areas of the floor, a rare and exceptional achievement in EV engineering, especially given the protection of the high-voltage battery system. 

With these accomplishments, the two companies have effectively redefined what is technologically possible in armored EV manufacturing. The Lac Hong 900 LX is crafted for heads of state, diplomatic corps, corporate leaders, and clientele with elevated security demands, standing as a certified fusion of sustainability, technological sophistication, and uncompromising protection.

Symbolism: From National Heritage to Global Vision

The unveiling and delivery of the armored SUV carry a profound cultural and national significance for VinFast's home country.

Timed to coincide with Vietnam's 80th National Day celebrations, VinFast formally delivered a fleet of the Lac Hong 900 LX models to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they will be used to transport international dignitaries. Produced in highly limited numbers, the model embodies both technological prestige and a deep cultural symbolism, reflecting Vietnam's spirit of resilience and its modern aspiration for global leadership.

The vehicle's name, Lac Hong, is inspired by the ancient legend of the "Lac Hong" lineage, the mythical forebears of the Vietnamese people. By choosing this name, VinFast has directly linked the vehicle's design and purpose to the nation's heritage, fusing a sense of history with contemporary global ambition. The armored SUV thus serves as a rolling testament to the strength of Vietnam's past, elevated to a new standard of international excellence.

The Accessible Foundation: The VinFast VF 9

While the Lac Hong 900 LX demonstrates VinFast's capacity for highly specialized, cutting-edge manufacturing, what some might term a "miracle" of armored EV engineering, the vehicle's robust underlying architecture is available to consumers today.

The VF 9 is VinFast's flagship three-row electric SUV, currently offered in the U.S. and designed squarely for the modern American family. It is a full-size vehicle, measuring 201.5 inches in length, providing generous cabin proportions, a seven-passenger seating configuration, and 7.2 inches of ground clearance, all hallmarks of a practical family SUV.

The consumer model's performance metrics are equally compelling. The VF 9 offers an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles for the Eco model and 291 miles for the Plus variant. Through the VinFast app, drivers also gain access to one of the most extensive charging networks available, integrating more locations than many competing manufacturer or third-party platforms.

The VF 9 places a high priority on design and safety. Styled by Italy's famed Pininfarina, its exterior conveys a bold, European sophistication. Inside, drivers benefit from a customizable 15.6-inch touchscreen with connectivity for streaming, browsing, and navigation. A comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite enhances driver confidence, while 11 airbags provide a high level of passenger safety. All software updates are delivered over the air, ensuring the vehicle continually improves throughout its ownership lifespan.

The absence of a traditional combustion engine provides a dual advantage: greater cargo space, including a practical front trunk (frunk), and zero emissions for sustainability-conscious buyers. VinFast further bolsters ownership confidence with one of the most generous support packages in the EV sector: a 10-year or 125,000-mile warranty, comprehensive roadside assistance, and mobile repair services.

The VF 9 Plus is now available in the U.S. with an attractive leasing offer, only $449 per month with $0 down¹.

From Heritage to Horizon

The Lac Hong 900 LX has already secured its place as an ambitious demonstrations of armored EV technology. But its foundation, the consumer-friendly VF 9, is equally noteworthy. It stands as a symbol of where the mass-market mobility sector is headed: a blend of bold design, uncompromising safety, and practical, everyday usability, with inclusive pricing.

Just as the Lac Hong name evokes the resilience and forward-looking vision of Vietnam's founding myth, the VF 9 represents a more accessible expression of those values for global drivers. It is a family SUV, an electric pioneer, and, perhaps most surprisingly, the proven platform upon which a significant technological achievement in the armored EV segment has been successfully built.

¹ Current VF 9 offer terms can be found at https://vinfastauto.us/vf-9-offer-terms

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SOURCE Vinfast Auto LLC

FAQ

What is the Lac Hong 900 LX announced by VinFast (VFS) on Oct 3, 2025?

An all-electric armored SUV built on the VF 9 platform, announced Oct 3, 2025.

What ballistic and blast certifications does the Lac Hong 900 LX have?

It is VPAM VR certified and passed third-party ballistic and blast tests.

How did the Lac Hong 900 LX perform in live testing described in the PR?

It withstood >400 live ballistic rounds and two DM51 grenade detonations under the floor.

When and to whom were Lac Hong 900 LX vehicles delivered by VinFast (VFS)?

A limited fleet was delivered to Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs timed with the 80th National Day.

What are the VF 9 consumer specs cited in the Oct 3, 2025 release for VFS?

VF 9 length 201.5 inches, EPA range 330 miles (Eco) and 291 miles (Plus), 7-passenger layout.

What warranty and U.S. lease terms for the VF 9 did VinFast (VFS) state?

A 10-year/125,000-mile warranty; current U.S. lease offer quoted at $449/mo, $0 down.