The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix, the biggest water sports event, is underway from March 19 to 31 in Thi Nai Bay in the southern coastal province of Binh Dinh.

The Vietnamese team on performance.

The world-class sporting event is expected to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam's water sports industry, according to Bui Trung Hieu, deputy director of the Binh Dinh Department of Culture and Sports.

"The race promises to be a watershed for water sports in Vietnam and, at the same time, promote the image of the country and the people of Vietnam to the world," says the director.

The opening ceremony of the event also saw the official launch of the Vietnam Motorboat and Powerboat Federation in the presence of Vu Chien Thang, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, and Tran Viet Anh, Chairman of Joint Stock Bình Định F1 Company and head of the campaign committee to establish the federation. 

The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship (also known as F1) is an international motorboat racing competition for powerboats, organized by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and promoted by H2O Racing. Hence it is often referred to as F1H2O. 

It is the highest class of inshore powerboat racing in the world and, as such, shares the title of F1 with Formula One car racing. Each race lasts approximately 45 minutes and follows a course marked out on a chosen body of water, usually a lake, river, harbor, or sheltered bay.

The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh begins with a performance of lion dance and Bình Định martial arts.

The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh opens with a lion dance and a demonstration of Bình Định martial arts.

In its 39 years of existence, the Tournament has organized 295 Grand Prix events in more than 33 countries on five continents.
The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh is considered to be the biggest water sports event ever held in Vietnam, attracting 18 of the world's top riders from the United Arab Emirates, China, Portugal, Finland, Norway, France and the host country, Vietnam.

The host team is the F1H2O Binh Dinh - Vietnam Racing Team, with two drivers: Jonas Andersson (Sweden, 49) and Stefan Arand (Estonia, 21).

The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh is part of the Binh Dinh Festival 2024.

The Victory Team (U.A.E) at the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh

Tournament fans from Vietnam

Racer for Vietnam Team Jonas Andersson, 49, from Sweden.  Team Vietnam's Jonas Andersson and Stefan Arand delight the home crowd with a resounding victory and second-place finish in the second sprint race of the Binh Dinh-Vietnam Grand Prix in Quy Nhon late on Saturday.  Racer Stefan Arand, 21, from Estonia, for the Vietnamese team.  The China CTIC Boat.

The tournament is organized with the companion of Viet Thuan Group and the famous cruise ship brand Essence Grand Cruise

Racer Rashed Al-Qemzi from Team Abu Dhabi (U.A.E).

The Sharjah Team from U.A.E is on the race

Fans of the Vietnamese Team.

Spectators at  the Tournament.