Kick-off the countdown to Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 in style

• Featured live performances from Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team F1 cars, including legendary driver David Coulthard, and leading World DJ/Producer Armin Van Buuren as well as stunning music performances by Son Tung M-TP and Tung Duong.
• Announced the ticket sales mechanism for the Vietnam Grand Prix 2020.
• HEINEKEN, as a global partner of F1, also used the occasion to launch its new taste variant Heineken® Silver and talk to their longstanding partnership with F1 on “When you Drive, Never Drink”

Hanoi, 20 April 2019 – To kick-off the countdown to the 2020 Formula 1^® (F1) Grand Prix in Vietnam; the Department of Culture and Sports – Hanoi People’s Committee and the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC), together with HEINEKEN, organized the official F1 Vietnam Grand Prix Kick-off event tonight at My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi.

 

Mr. Nguyen The Hung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, talked about the significance of the Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 to Hanoi City and Vietnam: “As one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events on the planet, F1 will enhance Hanoi’s position as a truly global city and a destination for world-class experiences. On behalf of Hanoi City, I appreciate the great effort by VGPC and HEINEKEN in bringing this world-class F1 experience to the people of Hanoi today in order to build momentum for the Grand Prix 2020 which I believe will be an outstanding success.” 

The kick-off event featured live performances from real F1 cars from the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team, driven by legendary driver David Coulthard. Over 30 thousand Vietnamese fans present at My Dinh National Stadium were thrilled to experience the sights and sounds of F1, including signature drifts and to get a taste of what is to come at the same venue in 12 months’ time.

Some lucky fans even won the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet with David Coulthard and the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team. 13 time Grand Prix winner and Heineken® F1 Ambassador David Coulthard, stated: “This is my second time performing with the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team in Vietnam and I am especially excited that Vietnam will host its first official F1 Grand Prix next year. Having previously experienced the excitement and anticipation for F1 in Vietnam, I have no doubt that Vietnam will become one of the great Grand Prix’s around the world and a favorite with the drivers and teams.”

At the event, VGPC announced the first ticket sales opening with a limited number of 5,565 F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 tickets, resembling the 5.565-kilometer length of the F1 track in Hanoi. These tickets will be divided into three groups - Hospitality tickets, Grandstand tickets and Admission tickets – and be distributed via VGPC’s official website at www.f1vietnamgp.com and later on via other distribution channels.    

“We are thrilled to bring the spectacular experience of F1 to Vietnamese and international F1 fans. The event today marks the first official F1 milestone in Vietnam and kicks-off other F1 activities in Hanoi in the time to come,” said Mr. Le Khac Hiep, Vice President of Vingroup.

Formula One is more than just a race, so to give fans the full F1 experience, Heineken® also brought DJ/Producer Armin Van Buuren, to Hanoi, the only DJ to be awarded No1 DJ in the World 5 times, for an exclusive performance. Armin Van Buuren was supported by stunning performances by Vietnamese artists - Son Tung M-TP and Tung Duong - to complete the thrilling experience.

Thanks to VGPC and Heineken®, the entire F1 Vietnam Grand Prix Kick-off event was free of charge and open to spectators over the age of 18 years. It is estimated that attracted tens of thousands of people showed up to watch the live performances and experience F1.

F1 as an important platform to reinforce When You Drive, Never Drink message

Beyond the exhilaration of the car racing and music was a more serious message – the message, When You Drive Never Drink was prominently integrated into the event, reminding spectators not to drink and drive.

Mr. Leo Evers, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Vietnam, said: “On behalf of HEINEKEN Vietnam, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hanoi People’s Committee and Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation for having the vision to bring such an outstanding Global sporting event as F1 to Vietnam. HEINEKEN is thrilled to be able to support by bringing this perfect F1 experience closer to thousands of Vietnamese fans. It is also important that we use this significant platform of F1 and the Vietnam Grand Prix to reinforce the important message ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ in order to positively inspire Vietnamese consumers not to drink and drive.”

HEINEKEN also used the occasion of the F1 Vietnam Grand Prix Kick-off event to promote a brand new taste variant, Heineken® Silver, just released in Vietnam. Created by

Heineken`s Master Brewers, Heineken® Silver, is a smooth and easy-to-drink beer, which retains the signature Heineken® full-bodied taste known around the world since 1873.

The Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC)

The Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation is 100% owned by VinFast Manufacturing and Trading Co., Ltd - a subsidiary of Vingroup.

Given the right to hold the Formula 1® Grand Prix by the Hanoi People's Committee, Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC) is responsible for building the Hanoi F1® racetrack infrastructure, the management and operation of the Vietnam Grand Prix from 2020 to 2030, as well as organizing the ticketing and marketing of the event.

For more info on tickets and the activities of Vietnam Grand Prix, please visit: www.f1vietnamgp.com

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About HEINEKEN Vietnam

HEINEKEN Vietnam is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN, the world’s most international brewer. Originated in the Netherlands, this family-owned business with a history of over 150 years, brews and distributes over 300 beer & cider brands in more than 190 countries.

HEINEKEN Vietnam was established in 1991 and operates six breweries in Hanoi, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Tien Giang and nine sales offices across Vietnam.

From humble beginnings with only 20 employees in Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam is now the second largest brewer in Vietnam with more than 3,500 employees. HEINEKEN Vietnam makes a significant annual economic contribution to Vietnam, amounting to approximately 0.9% of the nation’s total GDP.

In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes Heineken, Tiger, Amstel, Larue, BIVINA, Desperados, Affligem and Strongbow cider.

In 2017 and 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam was recognized as the most sustainable company in Vietnam by the

Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) based on the annual Corporate Sustainability Index.

More information about HEINEKEN Vietnam is available on HEINEKEN Vietnam’s website: http://heineken-vietnam.com.vn/

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For more information, please contact:

HEINEKEN Vietnam
Ms. Nguyen Van Anh
Head of Communications
Telephone: 028 3822 2755
Email: NguyenVan.Anh@heineken.com