Vietnam has taken a bold step in addressing the persistent toll of road traffic accidents by establishing a new national fund dedicated to minimizing their consequences. On October 26, 2025, the Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 279/2025/ND-CP, officially creating the Fund to Reduce Road Traffic Accident Damage—a state financial fund formed at the central level, but outside the national budget, to mobilize social resources for rescue efforts and to help victims recover from such incidents. This move, as reported by Phu Nu Today and other local media, reflects growing recognition of the need for collective action and resource pooling to address the aftermath of traffic accidents, which remain a significant public safety concern across the country.
The fund’s creation is not just a bureaucratic maneuver. It’s a substantial financial commitment: the central government has provided a one-time charter capital of 500 billion VND (roughly $20 million USD). But that’s just the beginning. The fund will also draw from voluntary contributions and support from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals—whether in cash, foreign currency, or even in-kind donations. Interest accrued from deposits and any remaining balance from previous years will also be rolled over, ensuring the fund’s sustainability and growth.
According to the decree, the Ministry of Public Security has been tasked with managing the fund, acting through a specialized unit responsible for advising on traffic order and safety. The operational leadership is structured for transparency and efficiency, consisting of a director, deputy directors, a chief accountant, and staff who work part-time. This setup aims to keep administrative costs low while maintaining rigorous oversight and effective management. As the fund’s mission is so closely linked to public welfare, transparency in its operation is paramount.
But how exactly will the fund be used? Decree 279/2025/ND-CP lays out six main areas of expenditure, all focused on supporting victims, encouraging heroic rescue efforts, and promoting traffic safety awareness. First and foremost, the fund will provide direct financial support to victims of road traffic accidents who suffer injuries with a damage rate from 31% to under 81%. Families of deceased victims facing economic hardship are also eligible for assistance. For those who have suffered severe injuries—defined as over 81% damage—the fund offers support aimed at helping them reintegrate into the community and resume their lives.
Importantly, the fund doesn’t just stop at helping victims and their families. It also recognizes the crucial role that bystanders, first responders, and ordinary citizens play in saving lives at accident scenes. Organizations and individuals who directly participate in rescue activities, emergency medical transport, or public awareness campaigns to reduce the impact of road traffic accidents are also eligible for financial support—especially when their actions are not already covered by the state budget. In a country where hesitancy to intervene can sometimes cost lives, these incentives are designed to encourage more people to step up when it matters most.
There’s more: the fund will also cover the costs of organizing communication events, fundraising activities, and necessary administrative expenses such as printing, office supplies, and postal services. Even the costs of medical assessments for injury victims—except in cases where the accident is part of an ongoing criminal or administrative investigation—are eligible for support. The overall aim is to ensure that every aspect of accident response and recovery is resourced, from immediate rescue to longer-term rehabilitation and public education efforts.
The decree is meticulous in specifying support levels. For families of deceased victims, the fund can provide up to 20 million VND per case. Injured victims may receive up to 10 million VND per person, while those with severe injuries (over 81% damage) are eligible for up to 100 million VND for a single incident. Organizations taking part in rescue or communication activities can receive up to 10 million VND per event, and individuals up to 5 million VND. For larger-scale communication or fundraising events, the fund can disburse up to 100 million VND per incident. These limits, as outlined in both Phu Nu Today and Tuoi Tre, are designed to balance responsiveness with fiscal responsibility.
The new fund doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It is part of a broader push to change attitudes and behaviors around road traffic safety. Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025, introduces fines for individuals and organizations that fail to assist traffic accident victims when they are able to do so. Individuals found intentionally neglecting to help can be fined from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND, while organizations face fines ranging from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND. The legal framework goes further: Article 132 of the 2015 Penal Code stipulates that failing to assist, if it results in death, can lead to imprisonment from three months to two years. In especially severe cases—such as multiple deaths or where there is a specific duty to help—the sentence can stretch from five to seven years. From December 15, 2025, anyone present at the scene of a traffic accident is legally obliged to help; indifference is not just unethical, it’s illegal and punishable by law.
This legal and financial architecture is a response to a persistent reality: Vietnam’s roads are among the most dangerous in Southeast Asia, with thousands of deaths and injuries each year. The government’s new approach combines carrot and stick, offering support and incentives for good Samaritans while penalizing indifference. It’s a strategy that aims to foster a culture where helping accident victims becomes the norm, not the exception.
Vietnam’s move is notable in the regional context. While many countries have compensation funds for victims of traffic accidents, few have such a comprehensive system that both supports victims and actively encourages citizens to participate in rescue and public education efforts. By formalizing these processes and setting clear financial parameters, the government hopes to make a real dent in the statistics—and, more importantly, to save lives.
As the fund becomes active on December 15, 2025, all eyes will be on how effectively it can channel resources to those in need and whether it will inspire more Vietnamese to help one another in times of crisis. The stakes are high, but so is the potential for positive change. With clear rules, strong incentives, and robust oversight, Vietnam is taking a decisive step toward a safer, more compassionate future on its roads.
