On January 30, the Department for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) at the Ministry of Transport signed an MoU with the 3M Corporation from the US on cooperation to improve road traffic safety in the 2024-2026 period.

The MoU aims to promote cooperation in sharing experience and expertise, training, research, and consultancy in the field of road traffic safety, which is a matter of interest for both the Department and 3M.

Following the signing of relevant documents, the DRVN will coordinate closely with 3M as well as relevant agencies to develop detailed plans and efficiently implement the activities of the cooperative program, the Department’s Deputy General Director Nguyen Manh Thang said.

Simultaneously, it will assess the results of pilot projects and the potential for scaling up effective solutions, thereby positively contributing to enhancing road traffic safety in Vietnam.

Mr. Ming Cheng, Senior Vice President for Research & Development at the 3M Corporation, emphasized that it hopes to cooperate with the Ministry of Transport to reach the goals set by the Vietnamese Government in 2021-2030 and vision to 2045, to consistently reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by traffic accidents by 5-10 per cent.

“The MoU will create a better legal framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to raise awareness and facilitate the sharing of global expertise and best practices in developing standards in road infrastructure,” he added. He also said the corporation stands ready to assist the government in achieving strategic development goals in traffic safety.

According to the Deputy General Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Transport, Tran Viet Ha, the Ministry has acknowledged the activities of the 3M Corporation and its subsidiary - 3M Vietnam - in implementing solutions to enhance traffic safety in Vietnam in recent times.

“Both parties should continue to exchange ideas on cooperative activities that can be carried out in the near future,” he said. “The 3M Corporation can provide training programs and share experience on how to maintain road traffic safety to Vietnamese experts and officials.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, US Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Marc E. Knapper highlighted the importance of the MoU for traffic safety in Vietnam. He said it aims to realize initiatives and cooperative programs to ensure traffic safety for vehicles, people, and transport infrastructure, thus enhancing policy coherence and mobilizing support for cooperation to improve road traffic safety and ensure key elements towards sustainable development goals.