The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently issued a circular on off-road car racing in Vietnam, including special regulations for the sport.

 An off-road car race in Vietnam

The regulations contain basic health and safety criteria like marking courses and obstacles and ensuring the organisers have sufficient rescue and fire fighting capacity.

Drivers will be required to submit a health certificate and unsurprisingly need a valid driving license. During the race, athletes have to wear seat belt, gloves and standard helmet.

Cars must be equipped with fire-extinguishers, first aid equipment and rescue clothes. The regulations also have also some requirements about tyres and frames.

Written permission is required for such races.

The circular will take effect from March 1, 2016.

Off-road races were first organised in Vietnam five years ago, however, there were no common official and specific regulations. The races have been held in solocalities, including Hanoi, Lam Dong, Quang Ninh and Binh Duong.