Vietnam will introduce a nationwide requirement for child safety seats in private cars from 1 January 2026. The move aligns the country with international traffic safety standards and responds to rising concern about road injuries involving children.
Under the new rules, drivers will face fines from 800 thousand to 1 million VND if they transport a child under ten years old and under one point three five meters tall without the proper safety device. Children in this group cannot sit in the front row beside the driver unless the vehicle has only one row of seats.
Officials from the national traffic police department told local media that the policy is not new for Vietnam. Authorities have advised families to use child seats for many years and many drivers have already adopted the practice. The difference is that the recommendation will now become an enforceable legal requirement.
Police say parents can choose from several approved devices including child seats, booster seats, and child safety harnesses. All products must meet the national technical standard QCVN 123:2024. These devices work like a motorcycle helmet by reducing the risk of serious injury when a crash or sudden stop occurs.
Police officials highlight three main reasons for the rule. First, seat belts designed for adults do not protect children under one point three five meters. During a collision the belt can press against a child’s neck or head and cause serious injury. Second, children under ten often move around or resist instructions which increases risk during travel. Third, global research shows that children held on an adult’s lap remain vulnerable because the force of an impact can eject a child even during a low speed crash.
The department also notes that the requirement follows commitments Vietnam made when joining the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and adopting United Nations road safety guidelines. Authorities say the extended timeline until 2026 is intended to give families time to prepare.
In Hanoi, child safety products typically cost between two and four million VND depending on features. Retailers say most products on the market now comply with national standards, including ISOFIX based systems and enhanced child restraint systems.
Police urge parents to take the rule seriously. Infants under one month old should avoid unnecessary travel and young children should always use proper restraints. Officials point to years of public education on helmet use and seat belt enforcement as proof that these measures save lives.
As Vietnam increases efforts to meet global safety benchmarks, the new child seat rule marks another significant step toward reducing road deaths and protecting the country’s most vulnerable passengers.
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Source: Vietnam Insider