New National Guidelines on Universal Design in the transportation sector were issued by the Ministry of Transport on November 7th, 2023. These are the first such national guidelines specifically for public transportation and brings to fruition long term efforts by USAID and its local partner, ACDC, to promote accessible public transportation in Vietnam. For example, it contains design standards for buses to ensure accessibility for passengers with disabilities. It also includes guidelines for accessible bus stops and recommends drivers be trained on how to provide services for passengers with disabilities.
These national standards for accessible public transport are an important policy milestone for Vietnam in its efforts to reduce barriers to social inclusion for persons with disabilities.