Hanoi (VNA) – A slogan contest for the “Traffic Safety in Vietnam withDoraemon” 2018-2019 programme was launched in Hanoi on September 6 by the Ministryof Public Security’s Traffic Police Department, in collaboration with theministry’s Department of Foreign Relations and Japan’s Mainichi Shimbumnewspaper.

The event, organised for the third consecutive year, is part of activities tocelebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

According to Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department Le Xuan Duc, thecontest, this year themed “Wearing Helmets”, aims to raise public self-disciplinein wearing head protection while driving motorbikes and electric bikes.

The contest is open for both Vietnamese and foreigners living in Vietnam. Entriesshould be no longer than 20 words, and serve the theme of “Wearing helmetswhile on motorbikes and electric bikes” for participants from 6 to 10 yearsold, and “Wearing helmets for yourselves and others” for those from 11 yearsold.

Contestants should submit their entries by post to the programme’s communicationoffice at Tung Sing Tower, 2 Ngo Nguyen Street, Hanoi, or the programme’swebsites of www.antoangiaothong.com.vn and www.csgt.vn.

Awards will be given to the top 20 slogans, withthe best used as the road safety slogan of the year and will appear on postershung at primary schools nationwide during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Doraemon, the fictional robot cat, is a famous Japanese animation characterpopular among children in Asia and around the world. It has served as a symbolof traffic safety for decades in Japan.

Last year, the “Traffic Safety in Vietnam with Doraemon” programme was carriedout with 26 extra-curricular courses, Duc said, adding that 30,000 road safety handbooksand badges were given to primary students in 13 localities nationwide.

Japan first launched a traffic safety programme featuring Doraemon 30 years agowhen road safety in the nation was a much bigger issue, with some 15,000 peoplekilled by traffic accidents each year.

The country has since flourished into anexemplary model with one of the safest traffic networks in the world, as wellas a general public understanding of road safety. The number of traffic-relateddeaths in the Japan has shrunk to around 4,000 per year.

The same day, a Kizuna Ekiden running event held for the cause of trafficsafety was launched.

According to Major General Vu Ngoc Lan, Deputy Head of the Department ofForeign Relations, some 1,600 Vietnamese and Japanese people are expected jointhe event, which will take place at 7am on November 18.

Ekiden was born in Japan 100 years ago. A sash called Tasuki is handed overfrom runner to runner to complete the race, thus it is billed as a symbol ofunity and friendship, or “kizuna” in Japanese.

The running tournament aims to bolster the friendship and increase exchangesbetween Vietnam and Japan.

Registration for the running event is open from 3pm on September 6, at //racejungle.com and//www.facebook.com/racejungle.

Fujita Hironobu, Director of the international project division at MainichiShimbum, said that the running event will help promote the winning slogan ofthe “Traffic Safety in Vietnam with Doraemon” programme. –VNA