Vietnam Enforces Mandatory Child Car Seats Starting July 2026

From 1 July 2026 Vietnam’s traffic safety law will require any child under 10 years old and shorter than 1.35 m to sit in the rear seat of a car and use an approved child‑safety seat. The regulation, based on national technical standard QCVN 123:2024/BGTVT, imposes fines of VND 800 000–1 million for non‑compliance and mandates that seats be installed according to ISOFIX or proper belt anchoring.

The Vietnamese Register Authority (Cục Đăng kiểm) reports that no certification bodies are currently accredited to test and certify seats under the new standard. It has asked the Ministry of Construction to issue guidance for local testing agencies and proposes that the Vehicle Machinery Testing Center (VMTC) temporarily handle certification for up to six months.

Ahead of the rule’s rollout, the domestic market for child car seats has surged. Retailers report strong sales across price segments—from VND 2‑4 million basic models to premium options above VND 10 million, with brands such as Jovikid, Reebaby, Joie, Nuna and Cybex in high demand. Boosters and 360°‑rotating seats are popular for convenience, while experts continue to warn that seats should not be placed in the front row unless the passenger‑side airbag can be deactivated, to avoid serious injury.