From April, multiple petroleum companies have begun expanding the sale of E10 biofuel across their retail networks nationwide, in line with Directive 09 issued on March 19. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been tasked with promoting E10 use and reviewing conditions to implement a transition roadmap in April 2026, targeting a 10 per cent reduction in mineral petrol consumption and improved energy efficiency.
Fuel distributors say they are ready to supply E10 on a large scale from April 2026.
Vietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL) said E10 had already been sold at nearly 100 of its petrol stations since 2025, with market acceptance proving positive and no significant issues reported. The company has been licensed to operate 13 blending facilities nationwide, including seven capable of continuous high-capacity production, allowing it to begin large-scale distribution by mid-April, ahead of schedule.
Saigon Petro plans to roll out E10 across its entire retail network from early April and stands ready to expand supply in May if demand rises. The company said base petrol supply remains stable, while ethanol is sourced domestically with contingency plans for imports if required.
Anh Phat Petro has also completed key preparations and expects to begin E10 sales across its system from mid-April.
According to the Vietnam Petroleum Association, member companies currently have blending capacity of about 965,000 cubic metres per month, sufficient to meet nationwide demand for biofuel.
However, technical standards remain a key bottleneck. Current regulations on oxygen content present challenges, as domestically produced petrol contains almost no oxygen, while imported petrol typically contains 1.3 to 1.5 per cent. Maintaining existing standards would complicate blending.
Estimates suggest that requiring oxygen-free base petrol could increase E10 prices by around VND 600 to 700 (USD 0.02 to 0.03) per litre, prompting calls for more flexible standards aligned with market conditions. A proposed oxygen content range of 5 to 5.2 per cent is considered more practical.
Industry representatives also noted that during storage and transport, E10 may degrade to E8. While still meeting quality standards, the lack of clear guidance could expose businesses to regulatory risks.
Petrolimex warned that blending 10 per cent ethanol could push total oxygen content beyond the current regulatory cap of 3.7 per cent, potentially reaching 5.1 to 5.2 per cent. Without updated standards, production and supply of E10, particularly higher-grade fuels meeting Euro 4 and Euro 5 emissions standards, could face significant obstacles.
Saigon Petro added that a proposed adjustment to around 4 per cent oxygen content would be insufficient for practical blending needs, urging authorities to issue revised standards before the transition begins.
Companies have also called for streamlined procedures related to licensing of blending systems, laboratories and certification processes.
Industry players said that if these regulatory constraints are resolved promptly, the transition to E10 petrol could proceed more quickly and uniformly across the market.
