Vietnam Scooters Fest 2026 showcases hundreds of vintage vehicles, draws collectors from abroad

The event, held at The Global City, an urban township in An Phu Ward, features an exhibition titled ‘80 Years of Vespa,’ where scooter clubs, enthusiasts, and visitors can admire vintage models, browse spare parts and accessories, join a vehicle beauty contest, exchange restoration and preservation tips, and enjoy artistic performances.

More than a showcase for Vespa enthusiasts, the festival celebrates scooter culture through the vehicles’ design, engineering, history, and lifestyle.

It has attracted clubs and enthusiasts from across Vietnam, along with collectors, guests, and scooter communities from Thailand, the Philippines, and the United States.

Vanessa Gomez, a Filipino national, attended the festival with her husband while visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

She said the event was impressive, offering a wide range of vehicles for visitors to admire and photograph.

“My husband and I are very fond of vintage Vespas and currently own four,” she said.

“We will stay in Ho Chi Minh City for a week to continue exploring its food and culture.”

Tran Khac Dung, chairman of the ‘Sai Gon Coi Nho’ Club, which brings together people passionate about the culture and arts of the former Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, attended the event with his 1958 Mercedes-Benz Ponton.

“I acquired this car in the 1990s and once drove it across Tibet,” he said.

“The festival showcases various vintage vehicles and features fashion performances inspired by past decades, reflecting the distinctive culture and character of Saigon people.”

At the exhibition, visitors can admire original vehicles owned by Vietnamese collectors, including models dating from 1946 to 1990.

Among the highlights are the Vespa Sprint 80th 125cc, Sprint 80th 180cc, and GTS 80th 300cc.

The festival also offers an engine performance showcase, a camping area, and opportunities for club networking, along with performances by singers Cao Minh and Dam Vinh Hung and bands including Soc Band, SPG Band, and Carmen.

Dam Vinh Hung performed without accepting a fee and donated one of his Vespa scooters to help raise funds for charity.

The fundraising effort also features the sale of vintage vehicles and collectibles, with proceeds going to charity.

Thi Nguyen, a Vietnamese American, sold one of his vehicles for VND88 million (US$3,300), raising funds for charity.

“This is not simply a vehicle exhibition or a gathering of people with the same hobby,” said Nguyen Xuan Thuy, chairman of the Vietnam Vintage Car Club and a member of the organizing board.

“We want to build an annual cultural festival for the scooter community, where every vehicle carries a story and every participant helps create a shared heritage.”