The Vietnam Motorsports Association (VMA) has held its inaugural National License Giving Ceremony, recognising and honouring 32 Vietnamese drivers for an outstanding contribution to the sport in their country.

 

Taking place earlier this month, the 32 drivers, all of whom hold an official VMA license, were eligible for the honour after training, racing and excelling at grassroots level.

 

Motorsport Australia has played a key role in the development and training of the personnel at the VMA, which was established in 2019, as part of a broader partnership to develop motorsport and prepare VMA for the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix.

 

As recipients of the honour, the drivers, which included three women, will now have the opportunity to progress to international level and compete for their country, as well as having access to training and coaching, which will assist in their development in the sport.

 

Headlining the list of recipients is Mr Nguyen Hong Vinh of the Redline Motorsport Club, who was acknowledged after getting a top 10 finish in the Muba Auto Gymkhana 2019, as well as a Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship top 20 finish in Indonesia last year – adding to his RFC Vietnam victory in 2014.

 

As a result of being honoured, Nguyen will receive an International License Grade C issued by the Vietnamese Motorsport Association.

 

Two Vietnamese karters were also honoured during the ceremony due to their potential after stellar recent performances in karting. Pham Hoang Nam and Bui Duc Minh were granted International Go Kart License Grade C which allow 12-15-year-olds to compete in karting events around the world. 

With the FIA Karting Academy Trophy taking place between August to October in Belgium and Italy later this year, Pham will become the first ever Vietnamese representative to compete in an international karting series.

 

Making the event extra special for all involved was the location of the ceremony being at the F1 Hanoi Circuit – where Vietnam will potentially host its first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix later this year.