Hanoi will use the Formula 1 circuit track as a location to host several motorbike and car races, semi-marathon and marathon competitions, and craft village festivals in 2023 to make full use of the venue, which has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020.

The view of the Formula 1 circuit in Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has obtained full authority to manage the Formula 1 circuit track and host sports, cultural, and tourism events.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son said that cultural, sporting and touristic events held at the circuit have had positive effects. He tasked the department to draw up a plan to exploit the area, adding that other municipal departments and agencies will join in the planning.

The Hanoi Formula 1 circuit covering an area of 88 ha was inaugurated in 2019 as Hanoi planned to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in April 2020. The race track is 5.6 kilometers long with 23 turns and features one of the longest straights on the F1 calendar at 1.5 km in length. However, the worldwide outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the races and left most of the circuit unused since then.

Part of the track has been repurposed for normal traffic. Other areas have hosted various sporting and cultural events, such as the Vietnam Matorkhana 2021 Championship, Vietnam Go-Kart 2022 Championship, VPBanks 2021 Marathon, and the Hanoi Handicraft and Agriculture Festival. The track area is also a training ground for cycling, athletics, and indoor games.