This is also the first time Mr. Long brought his car to join the Hyundai Santa Fe Vietnam Roadtrip 2025 journey, starting from Ca Mau Cape - U Minh Ha forest, going back to Mong Cai, through 5 stages named after 5 traditional Vietnamese music tones, associated with 5 emotional levels that are expected to awaken in the participants.
The first thing that “awakened” my surprise was the exclusive sunshade that Mr. Long had custom-made, handcrafted, for the seat next to the driver. He explained: The “unique” design of this new generation Santa Fe meant that it was difficult to find a sunshade that would fit the front window frame, and this was the seat of a special person – his wife, who works in the beauty industry. She was also the main reason why he decided to pay for this car less than 2 months after it was launched in Vietnam.
“I have been using Tucson since 2017, I find that Hyundai's machinery and equipment are very good, and there are spare parts and accessories that can be ordered directly from abroad if Vietnam does not have them. But having a family and having young children, I want to choose a larger, more mature car that suits the needs of the whole family. I have also researched carefully, since this new generation was just launched in Korea. What many people argue about the design "having nothing to do with the previous generation" of the new Santa Fe is what attracts me. Look at it, the minimalism of the cabin and interior in the spirit of Hyundai's electric vehicles that have continuously won international design awards, very modern, up to date with trends. The boxy shape and square tail unify the design language and optimize the usable space..." - Mr. Long enthusiastically recounted how he researched and compared competitors before deciding on the Santa Fe.
Our car story kept going smoothly like 4 wheels on the southwestern road of the Fatherland.
A fertile land that has been fertilized by the Mekong Delta for hundreds of years, rustic river dishes are now specialties, generous with Uncle Ba Phi's talent for bragging and lyrical with amateur music, but the Western roads are not easy for drivers. There are few highways, national and provincial roads are quite small, many intersections, and the "road specialty" is the countless bridge abutments (!), always unexpectedly challenging safety.
Wide visibility, speed information, warnings displayed on the windshield (HUD), function buttons integrated on the steering wheel, clear 360-degree camera allow us not to change the viewing point when driving, while the temperature control returns to the traditional knob, safer and faster than the touch type. ADAS features that support safe driving are left in default mode, such as lane departure warning and adjustment, keeping distance from the vehicle in front... intervene quite smoothly, without causing discomfort or startle the driver.
What impressed us after a long journey with a not-so-good road surface was the soundproofing and smoothness of the car. Mr. Long assessed that the double-layer soundproof glass, the only one in the segment, of the new Santa Fe is a plus. While the monocoque structure may sacrifice some of the strong off-road feeling, it will be smoother on-road in return.
“But in reality, there are not many real off-road routes now. Cross-Vietnam is almost all highways. I prioritize convenience, comfort and safety for the family,” commented Mr. Long.
In the middle row with two independent business seats, Ms. Ngoc, Long's wife, laughed happily at her husband's answer. When I asked: You have analyzed all the good points of the car, so is there anything you dislike? She said: "When using it, I have no complaints, my son really likes the back compartment with a mattress as a bed. But I still don't find the rear of the car and the taillights beautiful!"
Leaning against the Santa Fe with a unique sunshade in Vietnam on an April afternoon, I watched the couple Long and Ngoc excitedly and enthusiastically taking pictures of each other on the Bac Lieu salt fields. That is the image of a new generation of car users in Vietnam today, choosing based on understanding, needs and personal emotions, not following trends or habits like before.
Source: https://thanhcong.vn/tin-tuc/trai-nghiem-sau-tay-lai-santa-fe-hanh-trinh-xuyen-viet-nam-khoi-dau-ngu-cung-cam-xuc.html
![[Photo] Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Thailand visit the Exhibition of traditional handicraft products](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/5/15/6cfcd1c23b3e4a238b7fcf93c91a65dd)
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