F1 race could take place in Hanoi this November

Hanoi is assessing and negotiating with the organizing board to hold the Formula One (F1) race by the end of November, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung told the city’s People’s Council meeting on July 6.

The F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 could take place in Hanoi this November. Photo: f1vietnamgp.

If the race takes place in Hanoi, it will be a strong solution to stimulate domestic tourism, contributing to speeding up the economic recovery in the country and the capital city, Chung said.

The F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 was planned to take place on April 3-5 but postponed due to the “continued global spread of Covid-19.”

The decision was made after discussions between the FIA with the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Government of Vietnam, the Automobile Association of Vietnam and the promoter, Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation, F1 said on its website in March.

The postponement was aimed at ensuring the health and safety of the traveling staff, championship participants and fans, according to F1’s statement.

“F1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local health authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve,” added the announcement.

The F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 is expected to attract some 300,000 visitors, including F1 fans, domestic and foreign travelers, and international reporters.

In addition to the first-ever car race, the city also focuses on stimulus programs to attract local tourists, which will include cultural events to celebrate the 1010th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.

Hanoi has wiped out Covid-19 after being the hardest hit city in Vietnam with 121 coronavirus cases and has gone nearly three months without local transmission.