HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam – December 17, 2024

Vietnam is advancing its commitment to safer school zones for students nationwide. One of the key goals of the National Strategy on Road Traffic Safety in Vietnam for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045 (approved by the Prime Minister in 2020), is to ensure that 100% of school gate areas on national highways, provincial roads, and main urban roads are organized for safe traffic and congestion prevention.

To fulfill the Prime Minister’s Directive 31 and align with the National Strategy on Road Traffic Safety for 2021–2030, with a vision toward 2024, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Vietnam, in collaboration with AIP Foundation and FIA Foundation, is hosting a national workshop on ensuring traffic safety in school zones, with a particular focus on improving traffic infrastructure at school gates nationwide.

The workshop gathers senior officials from key government agencies, including the National Traffic Safety Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security, the Department for Roads of Vietnam, and representatives from 63 Provincial Traffic Safety Committees and Departments of Transport. Discussions during the workshop will focus on sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and strategizing solutions to ensure that all school zones in Vietnam are organized for safe traffic and congestion prevention.

The Safe School Zones Guide (SSZ Guide), officially launched in October 2023, serves as a reliable resource for urban planners, engineers, and policymakers. Developed over two years, the guide provides technical standards and practical solutions to address traffic safety issues around schools on a national scale. Following the MOT’s endorsement in August 2023, the guide was introduced to stakeholders from all 63 provinces, leading to remarkable progress in school zone safety.

Hai Duong province, for instance, invested VND 2.7 billion (USD 110,000) to enhance safety measures in six school zones. Similarly, Gia Lai province upgraded infrastructure in 12 primary and secondary schools in Pleiku City. These efforts underscore the transformative potential of the SSZ Guide when effectively applied.

“The National Workshop brought together stakeholders and local government representatives from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Gia Lai to share their experiences and outcomes implementing the Safe School Zones Guide. Every child deserves a safe and healthy journey to school, and the SSZ Guide is making that possible in Vietnam,” shared Saul Billingsley, FIA Foundation Executive Director.

Directive 31, issued in December 2023, calls for a comprehensive review and update of traffic management and infrastructure at school zones. In response, the Ministry of Transport issued Decision 64, instructing all 63 provinces in Vietnam to conduct thorough assessments and develop action plans for enhancing school zone safety within their respective jurisdictions. The Department for Roads of Vietnam has consistently encouraged provinces to adopt the SSZ Guide’s recommendations to optimize traffic management in school zones and provide guidance for constructing new schools.

“It is truly inspiring to see the great action being taken by the provincial traffic safety committees to implement the recommendations outlined in the SSZ Guide. We hope that soon safe school journeys will be accessible to every student in Vietnam,” shares Mirjam Sidik, Chief Executive Officer at AIP Foundation.

The workshop not only highlights Vietnam’s progress in enhancing school zone safety but also sets the stage for continued collaboration among national and local partners. Together, they aim to ensure that every student can journey to and from school safely, unlocking their potential for a brighter future.