Fines, lost deposits, collisions: What are the risks of self-driving car rental in Can Tho?

Wide roads leading to the garden, trips to explore neighboring provinces... the need to rent a self-driving car in Can Tho is becoming more and more popular, bringing unlimited freedom to tourists and locals. However, behind that convenience are many hidden worries: from the risk of "cold fines" or losing the car for the owner, to the obsession of losing the deposit, or the confusion of the renter when a collision occurs.

Báo Cần Thơ•09/07/2025

In that context, Sigo - a self-driving car rental application platform developed by Vietnamese people - is attracting attention as it seems to provide a "safety net" using technology, gradually solving the painful problems that already exist in the market.

Concerns of private car owners

Many individuals in Can Tho own idle cars and want to use their assets to earn extra income. However, many are afraid of the risks.

Many times after renting, I just feel anxious and worried. "What scares me the most is getting a fine that I only find out about later, or worse, getting my car pawned, which takes a lot of time and money to handle, and even requires the help of the authorities," said Ngo Van Tan, an experienced car rental owner in Ninh Kieu, Can Tho. "Then I meet a dishonest customer who returns the car with an accident and denies responsibility. I'm at a loss as to how to handle it, because I can't store each person's information."

It is here that Sigo's approach becomes noteworthy. According to the research, the platform has developed a system to verify customer information and record transaction history. "Every account on Sigo is strictly managed. If a customer has a bad history, such as returning the car late, damaging the car without cooperation, or violating the terms, that information will be recorded on the system. This makes it difficult for 'bad elements' to have a second chance to rent a car on the platform. Car owners will no longer have to struggle to find out or record anything themselves." This mechanism is expected to create a deterrent, promoting a "civilized car rental culture" when users know that their behavior is recorded and can affect their ability to rent a car in the future.

The nightmare of car rental customers

Not only car owners, car renters, especially tourists, also have their own worries.

"Many times when renting a private car, the most feared thing is the deposit. I don't know if I can get it back if the car owner makes things difficult," said Nguyen Duc Hai, a frequent visitor to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the risk of traffic accidents is always an unknown. "If I accidentally have a collision in a strange city like Can Tho, I don't know how to handle it, who to contact, it's very complicated," said Huong, sharing a common concern.

To address these concerns, Sigo has implemented two notable mechanisms. First, regarding the deposit issue, the platform requires customers to deposit through Sigo’s company account, rather than transferring directly to the car owner. This is to ensure that the deposit is held by a neutral third party, minimizing the risk of customers losing their deposit.

Second, and especially important for travelers, Sigo has partnered with DBV Insurance to provide comprehensive travel insurance for transactions on the system. "In the unfortunate event of a collision while renting a car, customers can authorize the insurance company to handle all procedures related to compensation and repairs," Nguyen Van Long, CEO of Sigo, explained. "This helps customers, especially travelers, not have to deal with legal or financial problems on their own in a strange city."

Sigo – A timely perspective on solutions to market risk

The emergence of platforms like Sigo in Can Tho’s self-drive car rental markets not only reflects the need for convenience but also reveals a larger topical issue: the need for clear regulation and a reliable “safety net” in sharing economy models. When common risks are mitigated through technology and standardized processes, both car owners and renters can feel more secure, thereby promoting the healthy development and professionalization of the self-drive car rental service industry.

Sigo is working to build a safer and more transparent trading environment, inviting readers to pay attention to a model that seeks to solve real problems, rather than simply providing a service. Can these mechanisms completely change the landscape of the self-drive car rental market, turning concerns into trust? Time will tell, but certainly, these efforts are opening a new chapter for the way we rent and lease cars in Vietnam.

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