If you’re reading this, it almost certainly means you’re interested in motor sports – especially if you’re in Europe!
The International Motorcycle Association – or Ism as it’s more usually known – was formed in 2015 and is now the largest motorcycle organization in the world. It has over 600 members in over 40 countries and its headquarters are located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. If you’re interested in motor sports, you really can’t miss out on Ism.
What Is Ism?
The acronym ‘ISM’ stands for International Motorcycle Association. This is the governing body of motorcycle sport all over the world and is responsible for the creation and enforcement of international motorcycling rules and regulations. In practice this means that any rider from any country can participate in any form of motorcycle competition in any other country as long as they obey the rules! For example, you can compete in an electric bike race in China but you have to obey all the restrictions that China has for motorized vehicles.
Ism is more than just an organization that governs motorcycling, it’s a lifestyle. For example, you’ll often see the Japanese wearing traditional Samurai armor – even when they’re not competing in a festival or traditional Japanese game!
Since its founding in 2015, Ism has already held two Grand Prix motorcycle racing events – one in the Middle East and the other in South America. It also has plans to host a race in Vietnam in the near future. It’s not just about racing, it’s also about having fun! They organize fun-days and festivals where people can socialize and enjoy themselves while being active and passionate about motorcycling. While not all of their events are free, many of them are partially subsidized by the members themselves!
Who Ism?
Like many sports organizations, Ism is a self-sufficient entity. They don’t depend on commercial sponsorships for revenue and have a fairly large membership fee which covers the cost of running the organization and sanctioning events. The fees range between £6 and £12 a year depending on the level of membership. This is in addition to any individual membership costs which are mostly waived for international members.
This money goes toward organizing and sanctioning competitions and also supports a number of community projects focused on developing nations. For example, they’ve helped set up a children’s playground in Hanoi and funded the construction of a swimming pool in Phnom Penh. This is all part of their commitment to developing nations and empowering young people through sport. They also run an employment scheme where they provide internships for aspiring racing drivers and officials – many of whom come from developing nations and many of whom qualify for substantial government support. Since 2016, they’ve supported over 50 interns from 12 different countries.
Why Vietnam?
It’s not just that Vietnam is a stunningly beautiful country, it’s also one of the most active nations when it comes to motor sports. In 2018, they had over 50,000 licensed motorbikes and it’s believed that there are over a million unlicensed riders. This makes it the second largest motorcycle market in the world (after India).
Even today, Vietnam is a bit of an enigma when it comes to commercial motorbikes. As a country, they have only permitted the sale of private bikes for a restricted number of years – with the majority of the population relying on a scooter as a common form of vehicle. In recent years, a number of smaller-capacity motorcycle manufacturers have set up shop in Vietnam – mostly in the southern part of the country. This has helped fuel an entirely new sub-culture around motorbikes in Vietnam!
However, it’s not all good news. The issue in Vietnam is basically the same as anywhere else – enforcing traffic laws and regulations concerning motorbikes is difficult because of the way they’re taxed and regulated. Inevitably, this leads to a number of accidents and deaths each year. It’s also one of the most polluted countries in the world – something that has an enormous impact on the environment because of all the plastic bottles and packaging that’s littered about the place. Finally, with so many people getting on bikes every day, it makes the roads less safe for everyone else. Despite all this, Vietnam is still a stunningly beautiful country with an incredibly passionate and patriotic following for all things motor related. If you’re thinking about travelling there any time soon, make sure you do your research and learn the right way to travel on a motorbike – it’s one of the most fun ways to get around and see the country.
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
Tourists from most countries don’t need a visa to enter Vietnam, with the exception of China and India. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the Vietnamese embassy in your country of residence before you travel there as the situation can change from one country to the next. Most often, visa requirements are based on your point of entry and your nationality. Visas are generally easy to get and only need to be applied for in advance if you’re planning to travel outside the country for more than 30 days.
How Do I travel on a Motorbike in Vietnam?
You’ll most often see Vietnamese motorbikers riding either to work or school, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These days, motorbikes are such an important part of daily life that most drivers won’t even think about driving any other way. In the cities, cars are still relatively rare and bikes are easily accessible and affordable – which means that most people get around on two wheels!
In smaller towns and villages, you’ll often see the reverse – a lot of people getting around on three wheels because cars are so expensive and hard to get hold of. For older generations, motorbikes are still seen as a means of transport for men and boys while for girls and young women it’s often considered to be a fashion accessory.
What Is The Fashion and Style Scene in Vietnam?
The fashion and style scene in Vietnam is relatively underdeveloped and hasn’t attracted a lot of attention from abroad. The main reason behind this is that the country doesn’t really know how to deal with fashion or style – they’ve never been particularly strong in these areas. Nevertheless, there are signs that this is starting to change. Foreigners have started popping up in places like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City especially since the opening of a few big-name high-street stores. The main challenge that the country faces is that much of the population is still stuck on older generations’ styles and aren’t used to shopping online.
Where Can I Visit on a Motorbike in Vietnam?
Tourists from most countries don’t need a visa to enter Vietnam, with the exception of China and India. You’ll find a map on the Ism website showing the locations where you can drive a motorbike and the places where you need to be sure to watch out for. Although, it’s always a good idea to check with the Vietnamese embassy in your country of residence before you travel there as the situation can change from one country to the next. Most often, visa requirements are based on your point of entry and your nationality. Visas are generally easy to get and only need to be applied for in advance if you’re planning to travel outside the country for more than 30 days. Most people travel on motorbikes in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These days, motorbikes are such an important part of daily life that most drivers won’t even think about driving any other way. In the cities, cars are still relatively rare and bikes are easily accessible and affordable – which means that most people get around on two wheels! In smaller towns and villages, you’ll often see the reverse – a lot of people getting around on three wheels because cars are so expensive and hard to get hold of.