Tran Bich Phuong serves as the Vietnam in-country coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator’s (GHAI) Road Safety Program. She leads strategic planning, coordination and provides technical support to civil society organizations and government agencies working on advocacy initiatives aimed at reducing road crash fatalities and injuries. With her extensive experience in public health and road safety, Phuong has been instrumental in shaping and advancing efforts that promote road safety policies in Vietnam. In this Q&A, Phuong shares insights into her career journey, the challenges of advocating for road safety, successes achieved and what lies ahead for Vietnam for continued progress in road safety.
Can you share the journey that led you to a career in public health and road safety advocacy?
It was more than 25 years ago when I was employed as a Program Officer at the U.S. Health and Human Services for the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam. My job was to assist the U.S. Health Attache’ to promote an injury prevention initiative in Vietnam initiated by the first U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Pete Peterson. In 2021, when Vietnam adopted its first National Policy on Injury Prevention, road safety emerged as a key focus. I worked with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, National Traffic Safety Committee and the private sector to actualize this initiative. I realized that effective road safety policies have a profound impact. They save people from injury and death.
As an advocate for road safety, what do you find to be the most challenging?
Effectively engaging and aligning the diverse sectors within society, as each has its own priorities, interests and constraints. Bridging these differences to create unified objectives and coordinated actions can be complex. Additionally, securing funding for road safety programs can be a lengthy process, and once approved, the wait can feel especially frustrating for advocates eager to implement meaningful change. This reinforces the critical need for building strong, collaborative relationships across all sectors.
Which road safety policy victory are you most proud of and what strategies helped achieve this success alongside GHAI’s partners in Vietnam?
The adoption of the Road Safety and Order law and the Law of Roads in late June 2024. Both laws include many road safety provisions related to the priority behavioral risk factors to enhance road safety including child restraints, drink driving, helmets, seat belts and speed. Child restraints provisions were included for the first time in Vietnam law. Key strategies leading to this success were the consistent collaboration among various government agencies, which kept the interest in road safety policies alive. GHAI’s coordination, strategic planning and technical expertise were critical in maintaining the momentum of advocacy and ensuring that the laws incorporated global best practices for road safety.
How does Vietnam share and learn from other countries' experiences to improve road safety?
Vietnam actively engages with other countries to both share its experiences and learn from global best practices in road safety. In November 2024, the Ministry of Transport, Transport Development Strategy Institute, hosted an international conference in Hanoi focused on motorcycle safety. This event brought together Vietnam and other countries to exchange challenges and solutions. The National Traffic Safety Committee. report states that Vietnam, with a population of 101 million people, currently has 77 million motorcycles One notable initiative that has garnered significant interest was Vietnam's decision to adopt a resolution in June 2007 to make helmets mandatory for motorcycle riders. Vietnam also began producing helmets locally, making them more accessible. The success of this initiative has been particularly relevant for countries with similar socio-economic conditions, many of which have not been able to implement comparable measures.
What are the next steps for advancing road safety in Vietnam and what are civil society partners most excited about?
Vietnam is set to experience rapid development in the coming decade. Motorcycles will remain the primary mode of transport, as they account for more than seventy-five percent of motorized vehicles. Because of this, improving safety for motorcycle riders will require more attention and investment to reduce the high rates of death and injury associated with motorcycles. One key area of focus is ensuring better safety solutions for children on motorcycles. Our civil society partners are particularly eager about addressing these challenges and making road safety a priority in Vietnam.
What advice would you give to individuals or organizations wanting to get involved in road safety advocacy?
My advice would be to focus on gaining a deep understanding of the road safety laws, as well as exercising patience and maintaining a long-term commitment. Advocacy in any field is a gradual process that requires persistence and a strong foundation of knowledge. It’s also important to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, such as government agencies, civil society organizations and local communities, to create a unified approach. Advocacy efforts should be data-driven and supported by clear, evidence-based policies to effectively influence decision-makers. Finally, always remain adaptable and open to learning from both successes and setbacks to continue improving your advocacy outcomes.
