My Vietnamese friend proudly announced, "my country is the only country in the world to require every one on a motorbike to wear a helmet". Not sure about it being the only country in the world to have a mandatory helmet law but I do know that as Dec.15 it became a ticket able offence in Vietnam to be aboard a motorbike un helmeted. Being am American this seems amazing that seemingly overnight the government can instate a law like this with no resistance, no wonder we lost the war. For example. not long ago the same friend went to great lengths explaining why helmets were impractical and down right dangerous the way they restricted you. This wasn't just her I've heard the same thing from many Vietnamese who are now proudly wearing helmets in support of the government. Have to wonder what Uncle Ho would think about all these goings on in the new Vietnam.


Now for a few statistics - 65% of Vietnam's 84 million people use motorbikes as their primary mod of transport - in the past 11 months there were 12,000 highway fatalities and motorbikes were involved in 75% of the accidents according to the Vietnamese minister of transportation.


Then a few more - 150,000 dong ($9.35) fine for helmet less motorbike riders - helmets are available in colors, patterns and other creative designs like bears and cats - helmets cost riders around 200,000 dong ($12.50) - less than 70% of them passed impact tests, reported the Vietnamese press.


Doug says - if headed to Vietnam cover with your own DOT approved helmet or better yet, but not much fun, stay off motorbikes. If your like me you can't help wondering if enforced traffic laws and drivers training might save more lives than a $13.00 pink helmet. Anyway the law is the law my easy rider friend...

Some really cool photos of helmeted folks.... http://travelatvietnam.com/helmet.htm