Hanoi to Da Nang in a VF3: A Road Trip Adventure
Hanoi to Dong Hoi (500km) on a Single Charge
A long-form post for those of you who love to travel on a budget, eyeing the VF3, and are comfortable with charging along the way.
VF3 Limitations on the Road
- Daily Range Limit: Roughly 444km (give or take, depending on driving style and conditions).
- Charging Limit: Maximum 4 charges per day is recommended.
VF3 Characteristics to Consider
The VF3 is designed as a city car:
- Small Battery (~200km range).
- Lacks battery cooling, leading to overheating during charging or in hot weather.
- Optimal Speed: 50-60km/h (slower speeds increase range).
Charging Experiences on the Road
Initial Charge: The first charge took 26kWh, raising the battery temperature to 39-40 degrees Celsius.
Highway Driving: Maintaining 70-80km/h on the highway significantly reduces range. Expect around 170km before reaching 15% battery (ideally, find a charging spot around 30% to account for faulty or unavailable stations).
Subsequent Charges: Subsequent charges were slower (15kWh for the second, 5kWh for the third), took longer, and the battery ran hotter (up to 43 degrees Celsius, potentially taking 2 hours to charge).
Final Charge: The last charge should be about cooling the battery for the next day. Charge at home or wait for the battery to cool before charging (charging while hot is ineffective).
Highway Charging Infrastructure
Currently, only the Ninh Binh rest stop on the highway has a charging station. Otherwise, you'll need to exit the highway. Ideally, find locations near the highway for quick charge-and-go stops, optimizing for a charge every 160km. Highways are smooth and free of local traffic compared to National Route 1, making them ideal for faster driving. National Route 1 has ample charging stations.
Road Trip Solutions
My Approach:
- Start at 8 PM, taking the highway to the Ninh Binh rest stop (~100km). Charge from 40% to 100% quickly.
- Rest there until 5-6 AM to allow the battery to cool and fully charge.
- Continue 170km to Nghe An, maintaining 70-80km/h. A charging station is located near the Dien Chau highway exit (3km away).
- Near Cam Xuyen, with 40% battery, it's advisable to charge or switch to National Route 1, as the following highway section lacks charging stations.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
On my first highway trip, I continued past Cam Xuyen with 40% battery instead of exiting. At 30%, I searched for the nearest charging station, finally finding one 12km from the highway's end. I had to drive at 60km/h with the AC off (only fan on), then 11km on a concrete road at 30km/h, carefully monitoring the battery percentage. Reached the station with 18% remaining, which is always better than being stranded! The key is to drive slowly (50-60km/h, or even 30km/h) to maximize range.
Charging Alternatives
A portable charger would be convenient, allowing you to ask locals for access to power outlets. However, charging this way is slow (6-7 hours for a full charge).
Further Along the Route
The third charge at Ky Anh, Ha Tinh took nearly 2 hours due to the battery overheating. I took a nap while charging. Traveling from Dong Hoi on National Route 1 at lower speeds, another 100km used only 50% of the battery.
Final Preparations in Dong Hoi
I'm now resting and fully charging (fourth charge) to prepare for tomorrow's trip to Dong Ha, Quang Tri for work.
Final Thoughts
If you've read this far, you're probably as crazy as I am! Safe travels!
Credit: Tống Tất Tuệ
