You might wonder why the title of this article has the title of Rice Cooker? It's actually slang for motorbike helmet in Viet Nam. From December people all over Vietnam have to wear helmets. It sounds weird that the government has to force people to take care of their own safety.
In Vietnam a few years ago, we had a rule for wearing helmets but only for those driving motorbikes on the highways but still not many people followed it, including me. I don't really feel comfortable wearing a helmut but I bought one today. For western people, wearing a helmet is something that they more than happy to do to protect their lives but for Asian people, especially Vietnamese, it isn't a habit even though they know it's good for them. I felt like I had to buy one because I have seen quite a few accidents recently between my home and the old quarter. I think it's worth spending 165,000Vnd just in case I do fall off and hit my head.
Since the policy was announced, the helmet business has been doing extremely well. I went to the Honda shop and they said they sold out a few days ago, then I went to the Protec shop, which was crowded with customers selecting a helmut to suit them. Luckily I got one for myself at a good price. I also tried to buy 2 more for my friends but the staff told me that I have to go back in a few days when the next stock arrived. The most popular brand for helmets are Amoro, Honda, Lucky Star, Protect. You can buy copies of these helmets which are made in China cheaply from 30,000Vnd instead of buying an original from 165,000Vnd. Most stuff from China is really cheap but I'm not sure about the quality.
12 comments:
Rice Cooker, now that's funny, lol.
-Toni in Mpls
Do not buy Helmets made from China, they are of low quality.
Lotuster.
Yeah, I've read somewhere that helmets made in China do not protect your head in case of a heavy impact. If possible, try to avoid anything made in China.
The reason why governments have laws forcing people to wear helmets is that in case of an accident, society in general has to bear the costs: hospital, medecines, loss of work days, etc..Any accident in general has cost effects on society and not only on the individuals.
Surprisingly, a few years ago in Florida they passed a law that is was NOT mandatory to wear motorcycle helmets. Motorcyclists complain that helmets are hot but to me it's worth suffering the heat instead of a head injury.
Vietnamese God: I originally found your blog when searching the internet for a spring rolls recipe, and now I check in regularly to read your travel stories. I was particlularly glad to hear that the helmet law is really getting people's attention in Vietnam. My father, Greig Craft, runs Protec and is the founder of The Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (www.asiainjury.org). He's been working on road safety in Vietnam for years, developing programs to help ease the heavy toll that head injury takes on Vietnamese society. It's true what "buddist with an attitude" says, everyone in Vietnam pays the cost when 12,000 people a year die in road accidents, and nearly twice as many suffer severe head injury. Luckily, this is being addressed with new laws and the availability of lightweight, breathable helmets that do not make you feel like you're cooking your head! It is so great to see your photos of the helmets for sale in the market. Thanks so much for your coverage of this important issue. And don't forget to wear your helmet!
Hi all, thanks for all comments
by theway bro its helmet n not helmut..Well it has been mandatory in Malaysia since 1980...I had a nasty headon accident to the rear of a lorry trailer which left 1.5inch long(4.5cm)scratch gap on front of helmet... Well alive today becoz of this life saving rice cooker....
Congratulations for article and for the governement action. The hekmets is going to be good fot you guys.
I remember when in Brazil we used not wearing helmet too!!!
I was wondering, where can I find pictures of helmets from specially Hanoi (the only place that i saw those helmets when I went to Vietnam last year)??
I am talking about helmets that looks like cap from USA teams, Wilson, Adidas and more?
Thanks.
Rodrigo
robellon@gmail.com
Motorcyclists complain that helmets are hot but to me it's worth suffering the heat instead of a head injury.
Hey this Motorcycle Helmets look amazing and very decent… Thanks for sharing.
Quite helpful material, thank you for this post.
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