Vietnam

Population: 87 375 196
Income group: Low
Gross national income per capita: $790
Poverty (% of population under national poverty line, 2009): 14.8%
Children under age 14: 21.6 million

Road Safety Issue(s):

• In Vietnam, the motorbike serves as the “family car”, a primary means of transportation for adults, children and even infants
• Mandatory helmet law for adults (Resolution 32, December 2007) in place, mandatory law for child helmet wearing still pending
• Successful passage and enforcement of Resolution 32 – thanks in large part to the work of AIP Foundation – resulted in a 13% reduction in the number of traffic crashes, 12% reduction in fatalities and 24% reduction in injuries between December 2007 and December 2008 (Data courtesy of the National Traffic Safety Committee)
• As of November 2009: the number of cases, fatalities and injuries involving road traffic crashes over the 11 months of 2009 had all reduced by a margin of 6% or less in comparison with 11 months in 2008; numbers indicating that although road traffic interventions have been successful, further work is required to halt the problem

For over a decade, the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation has been committed to reversing the public health epidemic caused by road crash fatalities in Vietnam. In 2007, AIP Foundation’s many years of lobbying and public awareness campaigns facilitated the passage of Resolution 32, the mandatory helmet law, which included the revision of helmet standards to include Protec Helmet Company’s trademark ‘tropical’ helmet. The new legislation and its subsequent enforcement have been pivotal to reducing the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities nationwide, making Vietnam a model for successful road safety interventions. Low national child helmet wearing rates, however, continue to offset the accomplishments of AIP Foundation and other road safety stakeholders. Today, fatalities resulting from road traffic crashes are the number one killer of children aged 5-14 in Vietnam.

Under GHVI, AIP Foundation’s work in Vietnam continues today. With a strategic plan to target both urban and rural areas, AIP Foundation seeks to improve upon its existing model of road safety programming. New components will include “Click on Safety”, an e-learning curriculum, the Safe Routes to School project for environment modifications and pedestrian safety, as well as a parent-targeted public awareness campaign intended to improve child helmet wearing rates.