FIA Foundation backs new multi-partner child safety coalition in Vietnam

A ‘Vietnam Project 2000’ road safety partnership has been launched in Hanoi by the World Health Organization (WHO) Vietnam and the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, along with 15 other partners, from across civil society, academia, the private sector and international development partners to support the Government of Vietnam in strengthening road safety for children and young people.

The Partnership’s shared vision is to reduce the tragic loss of children and young people who die every year on Viet Nam’s roads from more than 2,000 deaths – about five deaths every day – to zero.

The Partnership, launched on 14th October, is a joint initiative of WHO, as the lead UN agency on global road safety, and the AIP Foundation, with funding support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and the FIA Foundation, with the other founding partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, the embassies of Japan and Sweden, the International Road Assessment Programme, Vital Strategies, the Global Road Safety Partnership, HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, Protec, Automobile Association Viet Nam, Viet Nam Association for Protection of Children's Rights, Center for Injury Policy and Prevention Research of Hanoi University of Public Health, and the Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training.

WHO Representative in Viet Nam, Dr Angela Pratt said the new Partnership aims to support Viet Nam achieve its own road safety goals through coordinated, evidence-based and results-focused actions. “The tragic toll of children dying on Viet Nam’s roads is coming down slowly, but we need to do more. Every death is one too many. Children rely on adults to keep them safe, and to put their lives ahead of traffic. Road safety is everybody’s business. That’s why, today, we are delighted to formally launch the Vietnam Project 2000 Partnership, and welcome supporters and partners to join in our efforts to reduce the number of children who die on Viet Nam’s roads every year. This Partnership is about taking action to support Government efforts to protect Viet Nam’s youngest and most vulnerable road users.”

Founder and President of AIP Foundation Greig Craft said the loss of 2,000 children every year represents not only profound tragedies for families but also a significant burden on the country’s health system, economy, and society.“These tragedies are not inevitable though; they are preventable. So, AIP Foundation is proud to collaborate with WHO Viet Nam and other partners, and together we are committed to protecting our children, safeguarding our communities and building a safer future for all, where no needless lives on the roads are lost.”

The specific challenges that the Partnership will focus on include:

• Motorcycle safety: ensuring all children are wearing safe, affordable, and certified helmets – suitable for Viet Nam.
• Safe school zones: working towards ensuring safe driving​​​, with supportive​​ and safe ​​​infrastructure, around schools, especially at busy ‘drop-off’ and ‘pick-up’ times. 
• Child Restraint Systems: support implementation of new laws​ coming into effect on 1 January 2026 requiring children in vehicles to be secured in a safe child restraint system (also known as a child car seat) if they are under 10 years old or below 135 cm in height. Children under 10 must also sit in a back seat.

Action in these three areas has been proven to be among the most effective for protecting children from injuries and death on the roads.

As part of the Partnership’s commitment to tangible action, immediately following the launch event, a hands-on helmet safety workshop was held with a broad range of participants, with the workshop focusing on how to advance access to affordable, certified helmets and promote proper helmet use.

FIA Foundation Executive Director Saul Billingsley welcomed the launch of Vietnam Project 2000: “Through our current work with AIP Foundation on safe school zones, and our long collaboration on motorcycle helmet safety, the FIA Foundation is investing in core policies and actions designed to protect Vietnamese children. This new coalition can add new momentum and bring new partners to the table, keeping child road traffic injury prevention where it must be – in the spotlight.”