Hundreds of people exchanged low-quality helmets for the better ones in Danang on April 16.
Safe helmets available nearby testing points
The programme caused chaos in the city on April 10, but was restarted on the 16th.
An inspection team led by Danang Traffic Police worked with relevant agencies randomly check drivers' helmet quality.
The team used a portable testing equipment developed at Danang University of Technology. Those with substandard helmets are not fined, but asked to buy a high-quality one available for sale at the testing site. The purchase is not mandatory, since there is no law on the quality of helmets for drivers.
The price of the qualified helmet will be determined by people's residence. A permanent resident in Danang can buy a helmet at VND50,000 (USD2.4) and resident from other provinces can buy a helmet at VND100,000 (USD4.8).
The programme has been welcomed by the majority of the public. Some people stopped on their own, asking to buy a proper helmet, but these people were turned away for fear of causing disruption like that seen on the 10th. By yesterday afternoon, the city sold 110 helmets.
Danang authorities have asked the local Department of Science and Technology to work in co-operation with the University of Technology to produce nine more testing devices by May 30. They also asked the inspection team to set up more check points once more test equipment are provided.
Danang City Department of Industry and Trade worked with other agencies to check the helmets being sold at shops.
The Director of local Department of Transport, Dang Viet Dung, said the programme is running much more smoothly. "The people didn't understand our exchange policy at first. They just needed to be fully informed," he said.
Drivers stopped to check for fake helmets
Police inspect a helmet
Testing process
Results
Low-quality helmets destroyed
Quality stamp does not guarantee authenticity