The Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam has presented 1,000 free helmets to students of a primary school in Ho Chi Minh City.

Students of Luong The Vinh Primary School in District 1 were given the meaningful gifts during a special event called “Have Fun with Traffic Day on Thursday.

“Head is our invaluable asset. We need to protect ourselves to be happy,” the Swedish embassy's second secretary Johan Alvin said at the event, stressing the importance of traffic safety.

Johan Alvin, second secretary of Embassy of Sweden, shows students how to wear a helmet properly. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Underlining that traffic in Vietnam is quite complicated, Alvin expressed his hope that the helmets will be with the students to minimize the unwanted consequences caused by traffic accidents.

The Swedish embassy handing over free helmets to Vietnamese children out of the belief that students need to be educated about traffic safety since they are young so they know how to protect their own lives, according to the envoy.

Despite being an educational session for the children, Thursday’s event contained many activities like decoding riddles in both Vietnamese and Swedish, and a dancing performance, so as to make the day more intriguing for the young student.

Luong The Vinh students had a memorable session with the Swedish guests while also learning many important regulations and recommendations regarding traffic safety.

Students of Luong The Vinh Primary School are seen at the event. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Around 2,000 children die tragically because of traffic accidents on an annual basis, according to Nguyen Vu Hanh Phuc, chief of staff of department of traffic safety of Ho Chi Minh City.

Phuc praised the efforts and gestures of the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam, expressing his belief that the gift helmets, complete with long-term education, will reduce the number of accidents and increase people’s awareness regarding traffic rules, especially when children are involved.

“I think that not only adults, but also children need to wear helmets,” he said.

“We also really need to protect our heads.”

Wearing helmet is compulsory for both drivers and passengers on motorbike in Vietnam. The regulation is applicable for children from six.

Students of Luong The Vinh Primary School are seen at the event. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“I am very happy to receive this helmet and I will consider it my friend on my way to school,” fourth-grader Nguyen Vo Xuan An said after the fun activities she participated in.

The event was co-held by the Ho Chi Minh City traffic safety agency and education department, and the National Traffic Safety Committee.

A atudent of Luong The Vinh Primary School is seen at the event. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Students of Luong The Vinh Primary School are seen at the event. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Students of Luong The Vinh Primary School are seen at the event. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Second secretary of Embassy of Sweden (left) receives a painting from Luong The Vinh primary school. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!