Child restraint systems: one family buckles in ahead of Viet Nam’s new law

Before every family journey, Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh and her husband Nguyen Chi Tam follow the same routine: check their bags and settle their little boys securely into their child restraint systems (CRS).

Nguyen Chi Tam makes sure Phuc Dien, 13 months and known as Bean, is secured into his child car seat before every trip. Photo: Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh

Nguyen Khang, 32 months old, climbs into his child car seat with confidence. Phuc Dien, 13 months old, is already getting used to the ritual.

Only then does the trip begin.

From 1 July, the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety requires children under 10 years old and under 135cm tall to be secured in appropriate safety equipment when traveling in cars, except commercial vehicles. They  must also sit in the back seat, except in cars with only one row of seats. These measures are designed to better protect young passengers and reduce the risk of serious injury or death in road traffic crashes.

However, the decision to use a CRS came long before the law for Ms Nguyen, 33, who lives in Bac Ninh province, east of Ha Noi.

“We bought our first child seat after our eldest son was born in 2023, and the second one before our younger child arrived in 2025,” she says. “For us, it was never about waiting for a rule. It was about keeping our children safe.”

Her decision was shaped by time spent living abroad, where child car seats were a normal part of everyday family life.

“I saw how naturally families made child safety a priority for every car trip,” she recalls. “It made sense to me. When I had children of my own, I wanted the same protection for them.”

Back in Viet Nam, Ms Nguyen’s choice was not always understood. Some relatives and friends questioned why the family spent money on child seats before they were legally required.

“Some people said it was unnecessary, that I was being too influenced by Western habits, or wasting money,” she says. “But once you understand that many child injuries and deaths on the road are preventable with measures like the CRS, it becomes a very easy decision. I’m glad all children in Viet Nam will soon have the same protection.”

Safety that saves lives

Road traffic injuries and deaths remain a major public health tragedy globally and in Viet Nam. Babies and children are among the most vulnerable passengers. Their developing bodies put them at risk in a road traffic crash. For example, their softer heads make them more susceptible to serious head injury than adults.

Unfortunately, around the world and in Viet Nam, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death forchildren and young adults up to 29 years.

Normal seatbelts do not adequately protect youngsters, as they were designed for adult bodies, not infants and young children.

The good news is that when used correctly, child restraint systems have been shown to reduce the risk of death by 71% for babies under 1 and by 54% for children aged 1-4 years. For children aged 4-8 years, booster seats used with a seatbelt can reduce the risk of serious injury by 45%, compared with seatbelts alone.

A CRS can also make everyday travel safer and calmer.

“It helps in so many practical ways,” says Ms Nguyen. “The children are secure, they can sleep comfortably, and adults are not trying to hold or manage a child while the car is moving. Everyone travels more peacefully.”

Today, her children see the seats as a normal part of travel. That normalization matters. Safe habits formed early can shape expectations for years to come.

Turning law into life-saving action

New regulations are important, but laws do not save lives unless they are understood and followed. Public awareness, access to reliable information and consistent use are what turn policy into protection.

Around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) works closely with partners to support evidence-based road safety measures, including stronger protections for children in vehicles.

In 2025, WHO, AIP Foundation and partners launched the Viet Nam Project 2000 Road Safety Partnership, whose aim is to reduce the number of children and young people who die on Viet Nam’s roads every year from 2000, to zero.

“Every child deserves to be safe on every journey,” said Dr Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam. “The new child restraint regulation is a major step forward for protecting young lives. But the real impact will come when families understand why these seats matter and choose to use them every time they travel by car.”

She added that road crashes can happen anywhere, including on short and familiar routes.

“Many everyday trips may feel routine, but risk is never zero. A properly used CRS can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.”

A message from one parent to another

As the July implementation date approaches, Ms Nguyen hopes more parents and caregivers will see child restraint systems not as an inconvenience or luxury, but as an essential investment in their children’s safety.

“We buy helmets, we lock our doors, we do many things to protect our families,” she says. “A child seat is the same. It is one of those decisions you hope never has to prove its value - but if that moment comes, you will be grateful it is there.”

Her advice to other parents is simple: do not wait.

“Children depend on adults to make safe choices for them. If you travel by car, get the right seat, learn how to use it properly, and make it part of every trip.”

For her family, that habit is already second nature: buckle in, check twice, and go with peace of mind.