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It is a great honour to join you today at the Technical Workshop on Promoting the Use of Quality Helmets in Viet Nam.
Let me begin by passing on apologies from the WHO Representative, Dr Angela Pratt, who is Bangkok on duty travel so unable to attend this important event today. But she asked me to pass on her best wishes to all of you.
I would like to thank the National Traffic Safety Committee for co-chairing this event, which WHO and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation are proud to support.
Let me explain why we think this event is so important.
Tragically, every year, around 2,000 children and young people die on Viet Nam’s roads. Head injuries remain the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes, despite decades of evidence showing helmets reduce fatal injuries by up to 64%.
In fact, quality helmets are so important that they are one of the three interventions WHO, AIP Foundation and other partners are prioritizing in a new partnership we have just launched. Aside from helmets, the Viet Nam Project 2000 Road Safety Partnership will also focus on child restraint systems and seatbelts, and safe school zones. Our aim is to support the Government to reduce child and youth road deaths from 2000 to zero.
Viet Nam has made remarkable progress in road safety, with high adult helmet use and strong national standards.
Yet, substandard and counterfeit (or fake) helmets remain a serious challenge, undermining these gains – especially for children and young riders. Low-quality helmets drastically reduce protection and contribute to preventable injuries and deaths.
To ensure that only quality helmets are produced, sold and worn in Viet Nam, we need more coordinated, multisectoral efforts with UN partners, civil society and industry joining hands with the Government.
Firstly, we need to develop technical standards for children’s helmets, as current national standards primarily cover adult helmets.
Then, we need stronger market surveillance and coordinated action across police, standards agencies, market surveillance and local authorities to ensure only quality helmets are produced, sold and worn.
And finally, we need stronger public awareness and access. Parents, schools and communities need clear information and easy access to quality helmets. Communication should emphasize not just wearing a helmet – but wearing the right helmet.
As always, WHO is proud to accompany Viet Nam – and partners – on the journey to eliminate substandard and fake helmets and protect every motorbike rider and passenger.
Please count on our steadfast and reliable commitment as we build a healthier, safer future.
Thank you!