More than 4,000 Thai Nguyen University Students Participate in the International Training Program “Autosobriety – Sober Driving”

Intending to raise awareness and build a culture of road safety among students, on December 27, Thai Nguyen University (TNU), in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Pernod Ricard Group, the Automobile Association of Vietnam (AA Vietnam), and the University of Transport and Communications (UTC), organized the international training program “Autosobriety – Sober Driving.”

The program was implemented simultaneously in both in-person and online formats, attracting more than 4,000 students from Thai Nguyen University. Through the program, the message “No alcohol while driving” was strongly disseminated, reaffirming the vital role of education in preventing road traffic accidents related to alcohol consumption.

Photo: A cultural performance welcoming the international training program “Autosobriety – Sober Driving.”

The program was attended by representatives of the Government management agencies, international organisations, partner institutions, and Thai Nguyen University. Representatives from State agencies included Dr Tran Huu Minh, Chief of the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, and M.A. Truong Trong Doanh, Specialist from the Department of Transport and Traffic Safety, Ministry of Construction.

Representatives of international organisations and partner institutions included Mr Greig Craft, President and Founder of the Automobile Association of Vietnam (AA Vietnam), a member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Ms Nguyen Thi Quy Linh, Chief Executive Officer of AA Vietnam, and Ms Dinh Thi Thai Linh, Representative of Pernod Ricard Vietnam.

Representing Thai Nguyen University were Dr Nong Hong Hanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Affairs, and Deputy Director in charge of Females from Ethnic and Mountainous Areas Research and Development Center, and Dr Le Van Hieu, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen University Student Association.

Photo: Overview of the Autosobriety training program at Thai Nguyen University.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Nong Hong Hanh emphasized that driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the major factors increasing the risk of traffic accidents, especially among young people and students. In this context, communication and legal education on road traffic safety in educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering self-discipline, personal responsibility, and spreading the message “No alcohol while driving” throughout the student community.

Photo: Dr. Nong Hong Hanh delivering the opening remarks.

Sharing insights at the program, Dr Tran Huu Minh, Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, noted that in recent years, Vietnam has achieved many positive results in ensuring traffic order and safety, particularly with the synchronised implementation of new provisions of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. Traffic accidents have shown a downward trend across all three criteria, even as the number of motorbike users continues to increase rapidly.

However, Dr Tran Huu Minh stressed that Vietnamese law strictly prohibits operating vehicles with any alcohol concentration in the body. In reality, despite the completion and strictness of sanctioning regulations, violations remain widespread, with more than 600,000 cases detected and handled in 2025. This demonstrates that, alongside improving legislation and strengthening enforcement, education and communication aimed at raising awareness and changing behaviour, especially among students, play a key role in building a safe traffic culture.

Photo: Dr. Tran Huu Minh sharing insights on the current situation and challenges in ensuring traffic order and safety.

From an international perspective, Mr Greig Craft, President and Founder of AA Vietnam, affirmed that driving after consuming alcohol not only violates the law but also seriously affects public health, social order, and human lives. He emphasized that most alcohol-related traffic accidents are entirely preventable if road users are equipped with adequate knowledge, proper awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol, and responsible, safe behavioural choices.

According to Mr Greig Craft, the Autosobriety program is designed to help young people “understand correctly leading to act correctly,” thereby protecting themselves and the community. Students are expected to become pioneers in spreading traffic safety messages, not only by complying with the principle “No alcohol while driving” but also by reminding, guiding, and inspiring friends and family members, contributing to the formation of a safe and civilised traffic culture in society.

Photo: Mr Greig Craft delivering remarks at the program.

Following the orientation sessions, the program provided students with a series of in-depth modules delivered directly by experienced lecturers from the University of Transport and Communications.

From a legal perspective, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Viet Thanh emphasized that the law serves as a “shield” protecting each student’s future when participating in traffic. By analysis of new regulations, especially Decree No. 168/2024/ND-CP, along with vivid illustrative scenarios, he clarified the “price to be paid” for alcohol-related violations, ranging from fines and license revocation to long-term impacts on students’ studies, career opportunities, and professional development.

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Viet Thanh analyzing legal regulations on alcohol concentration.

In addition, Dr Nguyen Anh Dan guided students in proactive risk-prevention skills when participating in traffic, emphasizing that preventing the harmful effects of alcohol must be translated into practical actions and safe travel plans. Students were encouraged to choose public transportation, taxis, designated-driver services, or to assign a sober driver within their group. Through this approach, each student is expected to become a “traffic safety ambassador,” spreading civilized and responsible behaviour within the community.

Photo: Thai Nguyen University students attentively following the traffic safety training sessions.

The program left a strong impression on participating students. Many shared that content of the the training program helped change their perceptions, enhance their sense of responsibility, and equip them with practical skills to protect themselves and the community when participating in traffic.

With approximately 1,000 students attending in person at the main venue and nearly 3,000 students joining via online platforms, including those from the Lao Cai and Ha Giang campuses, the Autosobriety program strongly disseminated the message “Sober Driving” throughout the Thai Nguyen University system. At the end of the program, students completed an online assessment to receive certificates issued by UNITAR, contributing to the gradual establishment of “No alcohol while driving” as a positive and lasting culture in student life.