VinFast Expands into Central Asia with Green SM Ride-Hailing Launch in Kazakhstan
Vietnamese battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer VinFast Auto has taken a significant step in its global expansion journey by entering Kazakhstan — its first foray into the Central Asia region. The company has launched its Green SM ride-hailing service in the country, positioning itself as a forward-thinking provider of sustainable, technology-driven urban mobility. The move signals VinFast's ambition to go beyond vehicle manufacturing and become a comprehensive electric mobility solutions company on the world stage.
What Is Green SM and Why Does It Matter?
Green SM is VinFast's proprietary ride-hailing platform that operates exclusively with battery electric vehicles. Originally launched in Vietnam, Green SM was designed to bridge the gap between EV adoption and everyday transportation needs by offering consumers a clean, affordable, and convenient alternative to traditional ride-hailing services powered by internal combustion engines.
The platform's expansion into Kazakhstan is more than just a business milestone — it represents a broader strategic intent. As global demand for greener urban transportation grows, Green SM positions VinFast as a company that doesn't just sell electric vehicles but actively builds and operates the ecosystems needed for sustainable mobility to thrive. By bringing its ride-hailing model to a new continent, VinFast is testing and expanding a blueprint that could eventually be replicated across multiple emerging markets.
Green SM Kicks Off in Almaty with VinFast VF 6 Eco SUVs
In the initial phase of its Kazakhstan operations, Green SM will be based in Almaty, the country's largest city and its main commercial and financial hub. The service will deploy a fleet of VinFast VF 6 Eco battery-powered SUVs — a model well-suited for urban driving thanks to its compact design, practical range, and passenger-friendly interior.
The VF 6 Eco is built for the demands of everyday city travel, offering a comfortable ride for passengers while keeping operating costs manageable for drivers. As a fully electric vehicle, it produces zero direct emissions, aligning with Green SM's sustainability mission and with Kazakhstan's own growing interest in reducing urban air pollution and transitioning toward cleaner energy solutions.
VinFast confirmed that the choice of Almaty as the launch city was deliberate, given its position as a dynamic urban center with rising consumer expectations for quality services and modern transportation options. The city's growing middle class and tech-savvy population make it a strong fit for a digitally operated, app-based ride-hailing service.
Driver Training and Service Standards at the Core of the Launch
A key element of Green SM's launch strategy in Kazakhstan is its commitment to driver quality and service consistency. The company has announced comprehensive training programmes for prospective drivers, covering three essential pillars: operations, safety, and customer service.
This focus on structured onboarding reflects Green SM's positioning as a premium, reliable service rather than a race-to-the-bottom price competitor. By investing in driver training from the outset, VinFast aims to build trust with Kazakhstani consumers and differentiate Green SM from existing ride-hailing providers in the market. The company has framed this effort as part of its "ongoing commitment to maintaining consistent service standards and delivering safe and dependable transportation experiences for users in Kazakhstan."
Introductory Discounts and App Availability
To attract riders during its launch phase, Green SM is offering a 26% discount on bookings, capped at KZT 2,626 (approximately US$5.40). This promotional offer is available through the Green SM mobile application, which can be downloaded on both the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
The app-first approach is central to the Green SM model, enabling seamless ride booking, real-time tracking, and cashless payment — features that resonate strongly with urban consumers in a rapidly digitizing economy like Kazakhstan's. The introductory discount also lowers the barrier for first-time users, giving VinFast the opportunity to build an early user base and generate word-of-mouth momentum in a new market.
Strategic Partnerships Through the Green Alliance Frontier Initiative
Beyond its consumer-facing launch, Green SM has moved quickly to establish a local business ecosystem in Kazakhstan. The company has already secured partnerships with five strategic partners across the transportation, tourism, technology, and service sectors through its Green Alliance Frontier initiative.
Green Alliance Frontier serves as a platform that connects organizations sharing a commitment to sustainable development and community impact. Rather than operating in isolation, VinFast is building a network of aligned businesses to deepen Green SM's roots in the local economy and expand its service reach across multiple sectors.
These partnerships are expected to unlock new use cases for Green SM — from corporate travel and tourism transfers to technology integrations that improve the overall rider and driver experience. The initiative also signals VinFast's intent to be a long-term stakeholder in Kazakhstan's mobility ecosystem, not merely a short-term entrant chasing quick market share.
A Vision for Long-Term Growth in Kazakhstan
Green SM's CEO, Nguyen Quoc Tuan, articulated the company's philosophy clearly at the launch: "Kazakhstan is a market with strong potential, dynamic growth, and rising expectations for modern services. We come to Kazakhstan with respect for the market, a long-term commitment to investment, and a desire to work alongside local partners in developing high-quality mobility solutions that meet the everyday needs of the community."
His words underscore a strategic posture that prioritizes trust, local collaboration, and sustainable value creation — themes that are increasingly important for international companies entering Central Asian markets. VinFast is aware that success in Kazakhstan will depend not just on the quality of its vehicles or technology, but on its ability to earn the confidence of consumers, drivers, and partners alike.
What VinFast's Kazakhstan Entry Means for the Broader EV Market
VinFast's entry into Kazakhstan with Green SM carries implications that extend well beyond the company itself. Central Asia has historically been underserved by global EV manufacturers, and Kazakhstan — with its energy resources, urbanization trends, and government interest in modernization — represents a meaningful opportunity for the broader electric mobility sector.
- Kazakhstan's urban population is growing, creating demand for efficient and modern transportation services in cities like Almaty and Nur-Sultan.
- The country has expressed policy-level interest in diversifying its energy mix and reducing fossil fuel dependence, which creates a favorable regulatory backdrop for EV services.
- VinFast's presence could catalyze greater awareness of and appetite for electric vehicles among Kazakhstani consumers, benefiting the wider EV ecosystem in the region.
- The Green SM model — combining ride-hailing operations with EV deployment — offers a practical, scalable way to introduce electric mobility without requiring consumers to own EVs themselves.
As VinFast continues to expand internationally — with active operations or plans across Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and now Central Asia — its dual strategy of selling EVs and operating ride-hailing services is becoming a distinguishing feature of the brand. Kazakhstan is the latest chapter in that story, and if Green SM can establish itself as a trusted name in Almaty, it may well serve as a springboard for a wider Central Asian rollout in the years ahead.