Hanoi Street Circuit
Location
Nam Từ Liêm District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Current Local Time
Track Info
Hanoi Street Circuit - Hanoi, Vietnam
Semi-permanent Formula 1 circuit around the Mỹ Đình district - 23 turns, huge straights and a Grand Prix layout that was completed but never raced
When was the track built?
Hanoi Street Circuit was announced as the home of Vietnam's first Formula 1 Grand Prix. Construction of the permanent sections began in March 2019, with Formula 1's own motorsport department and circuit designer Tilke working together on the layout.
It was a hybrid design: roughly two-thirds used city roads, while the remainder was built specifically for racing. The 300 m pit building took inspiration from traditional Vietnamese architecture, and the completed racing surface was ready by February 2020.
When was its first race?
It never had one. The inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix was scheduled for 3-5 April 2020, with the race itself planned for 5 April.
Formula 1 postponed the event on 13 March as COVID-19 spread internationally. The race was never rescheduled during the shortened 2020 season, and Vietnam did not return to the Formula 1 calendar afterwards.
What's the circuit like?
- Enormous straights: Hanoi was designed to be exceptionally fast for a street circuit. Its longest acceleration zone was expected to produce speeds of around 335 km/h.
- Inspired by famous tracks: Turns 1-2 borrowed ideas from the Nürburgring, Turns 12-15 were influenced by Monaco, and the fast Turns 16-19 sequence was intended to feel like Suzuka's Esses.
- Very different final sector: After the long straights, the lap became much more technical, with rapid direction changes and barriers close to the racing line.
The result would have forced teams to compromise between low aerodynamic drag for the straights and enough downforce to attack the technical final sector.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Official Formula 1 lap record: None - no Grand Prix was held.
- Planned race distance: 55 laps - 308.715 km.
- Expected maximum speed: Approximately 335 km/h.
- Longest straight: Approximately 1.5-1.6 km.
- Virtual racing: The complete Hanoi layout appeared in the official F1 2020 video game despite never being raced in reality.
Any simulator or video-game lap times should not be treated as real circuit records because no Formula 1 practice, qualifying or race session ever took place here.
Why is it famous?
Hanoi is one of Formula 1's greatest "what if?" circuits. Unlike many cancelled race projects, this track was actually completed: the asphalt was laid, the pit building was finished and the Grand Prix was only weeks away when it was postponed.
That means an entire modern Formula 1 venue exists without ever having hosted the championship it was designed for. The circuit survives physically in pieces, but its only complete Formula 1 racing life took place virtually.
Why go?
Today Hanoi Street Circuit is not operating as a conventional race venue. The public-road sections returned to normal city traffic, while the purpose-built area and large pit building remain as reminders of the cancelled Grand Prix.
For motorsport fans, the site is interesting because of that unusual history, but the permanent racing sections are not a normal public attraction and restricted areas should not be entered without permission.
Where would have been the best place to watch?
- Turns 1-2: Formula 1 itself identified this area as a major overtaking location, with cars braking hard before entering the long opening corner sequence.
- End of the long straight: Potentially the most spectacular location, with cars arriving at more than 300 km/h before one of the lap's biggest braking zones.
- Turns 16-19: The Suzuka-inspired Esses would have provided the best view of drivers attacking Hanoi's fastest sequence of direction changes.
These viewing areas were planned for the 2020 Vietnam Grand Prix. The event never took place and the original temporary spectator infrastructure is no longer in place.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Hanoi Street Circuit (Hanoi)
The former Hanoi Street Circuit is beside Mỹ Đình National Stadium in western Hanoi. It is no longer an active race circuit, but the area can still be reached easily by taxi, ride-hailing service or city bus.
Important: this is no longer a race circuit
Do not expect a normal circuit entrance, ticket office or spectator facilities. Hanoi Street Circuit was prepared for the 2020 Vietnamese Grand Prix, but Formula 1 never raced here.
Much of the layout used ordinary city roads, while purpose-built sections were constructed beside Mỹ Đình National Stadium. Today, the area is better treated as a piece of motorsport history rather than an operating attraction.
Tip: Navigate to Mỹ Đình National Stadium rather than searching for a race-day entrance to Hanoi Street Circuit.
Taxi & ride-hailing
For most visitors, a taxi or ride-hailing service is the easiest way to reach the former circuit area.
- From central Hanoi: the Mỹ Đình area is roughly 11 km west of the city centre.
- Destination: enter Mỹ Đình National Stadium in your app rather than relying on the former circuit name.
- Traffic: allow extra time during morning and evening rush hours.
- Return journey: taxis and ride-hailing services are normally much easier to find here than at remote permanent circuits.
Bus & public transport
- Mỹ Đình Bus Station: this is a major transport hub in the same part of western Hanoi.
- City buses: numerous routes serve the Mỹ Đình district, although the best route depends on where you start.
- Final journey: if your bus does not stop close to the stadium, complete the trip with a short taxi or ride-hailing journey.
- Check live directions: Hanoi's bus network can change, so use a current journey-planning app rather than relying on an old F1 transport map.
Driving & parking
- Normal city roads: much of the former street circuit is now simply part of Hanoi's road network.
- No race parking: there is no Grand Prix spectator parking system because the circuit is not operating as a race venue.
- Parking: use legal public or venue parking around Mỹ Đình and follow local signs.
- Do not enter closed areas: former permanent circuit or pit areas may not be open to the public.
Noi Bai Airport
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN): the main airport serving Hanoi.
- Airport → Mỹ Đình: the stadium area is roughly 27–29 km from the airport by road.
- Easiest option: a taxi or ride-hailing service provides the simplest direct journey.
- Budget option: airport and city buses can take you towards the Mỹ Đình area, followed by a local connection if required.
Visiting the former circuit
- Start at the stadium: Mỹ Đình National Stadium is the easiest landmark for understanding where the circuit was located.
- Expect normal traffic: public-road sections are not preserved as a closed racing track.
- Respect closed areas: do not enter fenced or restricted former circuit facilities.
- There is no race weekend: you do not need an F1 ticket and should not expect grandstands, shuttle buses or circuit tours.
Accessibility
The former circuit is not operated as a dedicated visitor attraction. If you are attending an event at Mỹ Đình National Stadium, check that event's accessibility and parking arrangements. Do not assume that former pit or permanent circuit areas provide public step-free access.
Hanoi Street Circuit is a former semi-permanent Formula 1 venue and does not currently operate as a normal race circuit. Road access, public transport and access to former circuit structures can change, so check current local information before visiting.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Hanoi Street Circuit (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Hanoi Street Circuit was built around the Mỹ Đình area for Vietnam’s planned Formula 1 debut in 2020. The Grand Prix never took place and the circuit is not an active F1 venue today, but its unusual story makes it interesting for motorsport fans - while Hanoi’s museums, historic streets, lakes and famous food are close enough to fill an entire stay.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: One of the best introductions to Vietnam for first-time visitors, with displays covering the country’s 54 ethnic groups and a garden containing full-size traditional houses.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: Walk around Hanoi’s most famous central lake, cross the red bridge towards Ngoc Son Temple and explore the Old Quarter immediately beside it.
- Water puppetry: Traditional water-puppet performances are an easy cultural experience for families and require little background knowledge to enjoy.
History & rainy-day stops
- Temple of Literature: Founded in 1070 and later home to Vietnam’s first national university, this peaceful complex is one of the easiest places to start learning about Hanoi’s long history.
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Explore archaeological remains, old royal structures and later military buildings at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Hoa Lo Prison Relic: A powerful museum covering different periods of the former prison’s history, from French colonial rule through the Vietnam War era.
Eat & drink like a local
- Bun cha: A classic Hanoi meal of grilled pork, rice noodles, herbs and a savoury dipping broth. It is simple to order and a great first introduction to local street food.
- Pho: Hanoi is one of the spiritual homes of Vietnam’s famous noodle soup, traditionally served simply with aromatic broth, noodles and beef or chicken.
- Egg coffee: Strong Vietnamese coffee topped with a rich whipped egg mixture is one of the city’s most distinctive drinks. The Old Quarter is an ideal place to try it.
Get outdoors around Hanoi
- West Lake: Hanoi’s largest lake has a long shoreline lined with cafés, pagodas and quieter walking areas. It is particularly pleasant in the morning or around sunset.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: Go early to see local residents exercising around the water, then continue directly into the narrow streets of the Old Quarter.
- Old Quarter: Exploring on foot is part of the experience, with small temples, cafés, food stalls and specialist shopping streets packed into a relatively compact area.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Bat Trang Pottery Village: Visit this centuries-old craft village on the Red River to browse ceramics and try making or decorating pottery yourself.
- Ninh Binh: Around two hours from Hanoi, the limestone landscape around Trang An and Tam Coc is best explored by small rowing boat. It works well as a full-day trip.
- Ha Long Bay: Extend farther east for a cruise among the bay’s famous limestone islands. An overnight cruise is more relaxed, although day tours from Hanoi are widely available.
Good to know before you go
- Do not expect a functioning racetrack: The Hanoi Street Circuit never hosted its planned Formula 1 Grand Prix and there is currently no regular race programme.
- The site has other uses: The former F1 area has occasionally hosted public events, including a Hanoi Spring Festival in 2026, so access can change depending on what is happening.
- Do not enter closed areas: The permanent pit building and unused circuit infrastructure should not be treated as an open motorsport attraction. Respect barriers and local access restrictions.
- Stay centrally for sightseeing: The circuit area is west of Hanoi’s historic centre. The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh areas are generally more convenient bases if tourism is a major part of your trip.
The Hanoi Street Circuit is not currently an active Formula 1 venue. Site access, public events, road use and attraction opening hours can change - check current information before you travel.