"Motorcycle transport has always been a risky option and parents should be encouraged to find alternative means of transport for young children" said Allaster Cox, Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam. "In Australia it is illegal for children under eight years of age to travel on a motorcycle".
In Viet Nam, however with more than 27 million registered, the motorcycle often represents the family vehicle and alternative transport options are limited.
"As the next best harm reduction measure, wearing helmets by ALL riders and passengers is essential" says Jesper Morch, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Viet Nam.
Parents and adults must be role models to their children and always wear helmets themselves.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to protect their children. Helmets for children are widely available and have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury.” added Mr Morch.
Last week's expert consultation on child helmet wearing with the Ministry of Transport highlighted the consensus of both national and international experts that children of all ages should be wearing helmets
Viet Nam is one of only three countries in the world where helmet standards have been developed specially with the requirements of children in mind. This should provide parents with confidence that it is both suitable and appropriate for children to wear a helmet each and every time they travel on a motorcycle.
“Parents must understand that there is no evidence to support rumours that helmet wearing is dangerous for children's necks" said Dr Jean-Marc Olivé, WHO Representative in Viet Nam "On the contrary, wearing a high-quality, properly strapped helmet is in fact the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatalities from motorcycle and bicycle crashes," Dr. Olivé adds.
To support advocacy efforts the Viet Nam Helmet Wearing Coalition and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation has scaled up nationwide broadcasts of a new TV campaign aimed at showing parents the tragic consequences of a traffic crash if a child isn’t wearing a helmet. " So many parents seem to think this wont ever happen to them or their child, but the sad truth is this is happening to families every day on Viet Nam's roads" says Greig Craft, President of the AIP Foundation.
"Our thanks go to the Government and the Ministry of Transport for the leadership they have shown in regards to this controversial issue. So many Vietnamese children will benefit from strengthened legislation" said Peter Hansen, Danish Ambassador to Viet Nam. As partners we stand ready to support the Government as it draws further attention to the importance of helmet wearing and road safety for children.
"What better way to celebrate Children's Day in Viet Nam than with a gift of safety" Ambassador Hansen added.
For more information, please contact
World Health Organization 304 Kim Ma Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi Viet Nam
Postal address:
World Health Organization P.O. Box 52 Hanoi, Viet Nam
Telephone number:
+84 (0) 24 38 500 100 +84 (0) 4 38 501 888
Fax number:
+84 (0) 24 37 265 519 +84 (0) 4 37 265 520
Office hours:
08.00 to 12.00 13.00 to 17.00 (Monday to Friday)
Email: wpvnmwr@who.int