Ambassador of Sweden Johan Ndisi speaks at the event. — Photos courtesy of the Embassy of Sweden

HÀ NỘI — Four hundred high-quality helmets have been presented to students at Trung Yên Primary School and Yên Hòa Secondary School, Hà Nội, as part of the Traffic Safety 2025 – Safer Helmets, Safer Kids campaign launched on Wednesday by the Embassy of Sweden in partnership with Protec and the school.

Along with safety demonstrations at the event, the helmet donation is seen as a practical step toward reducing injuries in a country where motorcycles dominate daily transport.

Ambassador of Sweden to Việt Nam, Johan Ndisi, highlighted the importance of every day actions, “Road safety is a challenge for every country, and we all have lessons to share. Sweden’s experience with Vision Zero shows that change is possible when everyone takes responsibility. Today is about practical action – giving children helmets and reminding all of us that safety starts with simple choices.”

“Together, we hope to raise awareness and encourage simple actions that save lives,” said the Ambassador.

Introduced in Sweden in 1997, Vision Zero is built on a simple principle: no loss of life in traffic is acceptable. This approach – combining safer road design, strict enforcement, and public awareness – has helped make Sweden one of the safest countries in the world for road users and inspired similar efforts globally.

With Việt Nam’s high reliance on motorcycles, consistent helmet use, community responsibility, and education are key to reducing fatalities and protecting children on the roads.

“This campaign is about more than helmets. It’s about building habits and values. When parents set the example and schools teach safety, we can create a culture that protects our children every day,” said Chairwoman of the Yên Hòa Ward People’s Committee Trịnh Thị Dung.

Đỗ Thị Mai, President of Trung Yên Primary School, added, “Our students are the future. By equipping them with helmets and knowledge, we empower them to travel safely and inspire their families to do the same.”

Teachers and students are happy with the high-quality helmets.

World Health Organization Representative to Việt Nam Dr Angela Pratt noted that road traffic injuries remain a leading cause of death among children in Việt Nam, with 2,000 children and young people killed every year.

For anyone on a motorcycle, correct helmet use can reduce the risk of death in a crash by more than 6 times and the risk of brain injury by up to 74 per cent, she said.

“Campaigns like this are great for helping help parents, schools and communities understand how important it is for children to wear quality helmets, and to wear them properly. It's up to adults to protect children's heads – and their lives – on every ride," she said.

A collective signing of a traffic safety commitment closed the ceremony, symbolising the shared pledge of students, teachers, and parents to prioritise safety.

Recent statistics underline the urgency. Last year, Việt Nam recorded 23,517 traffic accidents, resulting in 10,850 deaths and 17,535 injuries. While these figures show a slight decline compared to the previous year, they remain alarmingly high, with children among the most vulnerable road users. — VNS