Four-day holiday saw fewer crashes and fatalities year-on-year, yet the toll highlights persistent road safety risks in Southeast Asia’s fastest-moving economy.
Vietnam entered 2026 with a mixed road-safety picture as 94 people were killed and 154 injured in traffic accidents during the four-day New Year holiday from January 1 to January 4, according to the Traffic Police Department. While the figures show notable improvement compared with last year, the human cost remains stark for a country undergoing rapid motorization.
Nationwide, authorities recorded 196 traffic accidents, all occurring on roads, with none reported on railways or waterways—a contrast to 2025, when rail accidents claimed lives during the same holiday period. Compared with last year, crashes fell by 18.7% and fatalities declined by nearly 32%, though the number of injured rose by 12.4%, suggesting fewer deadly collisions but more non-fatal incidents.
The highest accident volumes were reported in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by Đồng Nai Province, Hanoi, and Phú Thọ Province. These areas also accounted for the largest number of deaths, reflecting heavy holiday traffic flows at Vietnam’s major urban and industrial gateways.
Police investigations identified causes in over 80% of cases, with inattention and failure to reduce speed topping the list. Other frequent factors included wrong-lane driving, unsafe overtaking, improper turns, speeding, and failure to maintain safe distances. Alcohol consumption, driver fatigue, mobile phone use, and vehicle defects were also cited—patterns familiar to traffic authorities across emerging markets.
Enforcement efforts were intensified throughout the holiday. Traffic police nationwide handled more than 47,000 violations, issuing fines totaling nearly VNĐ137.5 billion (USD 5.2 million), temporarily seizing thousands of vehicles, and revoking or deducting points from over 10,000 driving licenses. Alcohol and speed-related offenses dominated enforcement statistics.
Despite the incidents, authorities reported generally smooth traffic nationwide, with no prolonged congestion. Brief bottlenecks at major entry points into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were quickly resolved through proactive traffic management.
The data shows progress—but also a reminder that as Vietnam’s economy and vehicle ownership accelerate, sustaining safety gains will depend on tougher enforcement, smarter infrastructure, and changing driver behavior beyond holiday crackdowns.
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Source: Vietnam Insider