Traffic deaths decline nearly 32% during New Year holiday in Vietnam

The report said that from January 1 to January 4, a total of 196 traffic accidents were recorded nationwide, leaving 94 people dead and 154 others injured.

Compared with the 2025 New Year holiday, the number of crashes dropped by 45 cases, or 18.67 percent, while fatalities fell by 44 people, equivalent to a 31.88-percent decline. 

However, the number of injured people rose by 17 cases, an increase of 12.41 percent.

All reported accidents occurred on roads. No traffic incidents were recorded on railways or waterways during the four-day period, authorities said.

Ho Chi Minh City reported the highest number of crashes, with 34 accidents, followed by Dong Nai Province with 15, Hanoi with 13, and Phu Tho Province with 12.

In terms of fatalities, Ho Chi Minh City also topped the list with 17 deaths, while Dong Nai recorded 11 deaths, Hanoi nine, and Phu Tho and Tay Ninh Provinces seven each.

Traffic police analyzed the causes of 160 out of the 196 road accidents, accounting for nearly 82 percent of the total.

The most common cause was drivers failing to pay attention to slowing down appropriately, responsible for 41 cases, or 25.63 percent.

Driving in the wrong direction or lane accounted for 34 cases, or 21.25 percent, while improper turning caused 19 accidents, equivalent to 11.88 percent.

Unsafe overtaking was cited in 11 cases, or 6.88 percent.

On the final day of the New Year holiday alone, traffic police nationwide handled 12,303 violations.

Authorities temporarily impounded about 4,500 vehicles of various types, revoked 486 driver’s licenses, and deducted points from 2,227 licenses under the current penalty system.

Among the violations recorded on the last day, drunk driving remained a major issue, with 3,881 cases detected.

Speeding followed closely with 2,046 cases, while 101 drivers were penalized for carrying overloaded cargo.