What is ISOFIX in Cars?

## **Child Safety: The Importance of Car Seats and ISOFIX**

As of early 2026, it will be mandatory for children to be seated in dedicated car seats in the back, as outlined in Decree 168. Currently, child car seats in Vietnam are primarily installed using two methods: seat belts or ISOFIX connections.

ISOFIX, an acronym for International Standard Organization Fix, is an international standard for attachment points to secure child seats in vehicles. Prior to ISOFIX, child seats were secured using seat belts, a mechanism that was later deemed potentially less effective due to possible user errors during installation. Despite the introduction of ISOFIX, the seat belt method still persists today.

This image depicts a child seat installed in the back seat of a car, secured using both ISOFIX and a seat belt.

Published in 1999, the ISO 13216-1 standard specified two anchor points for child seat installation. By February 2011, it became mandatory for new cars in France to be equipped with ISOFIX anchors in the back seats. This requirement extended to all new cars across Europe from July 2013 onwards.

In Vietnam, almost all cars on the market come with ISOFIX attachments for child seats. For vehicles with a seating capacity of four or five, the ISOFIX points are typically located on both sides of the second-row seats. Even the MG G50, a mid-sized MPV, offers ISOFIX points in the third row.

To install a child seat using ISOFIX, users should first locate the ISOFIX points, usually marked with the word “ISOFIX” or a circular symbol depicting a child seat.

This image shows the ISOFIX connection points on the back seats of a car from a Japanese brand.

For ISOFIX-compatible seats, users simply need to position the seat so that the connectors align with the vehicle’s anchor points, pushing firmly until a distinct “click” indicates successful installation. An additional seat belt is then used to further secure the child seat. For seats without ISOFIX, proper installation can still be achieved using only the seat belt, ensuring the seat remains immobile during travel.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, children from newborns to ages 2 to 4 should be placed in rear-facing car seats. As children outgrow this configuration, they can transition to forward-facing car seats. The CDC recommends that children in this age group continue using a child seat until they are at least 5 years old or until they exceed the height and weight limits of the seat.

In Vietnam, Decree 168 stipulates that, starting January 1, 2026, drivers can be fined between VND 800,000 and VND 1,000,000 for transporting children under 10 years of age in the front seat or without proper safety equipment. Children under 10 years old or shorter than 1.35 meters must be seated in the back, secured with appropriate seat belts or child seats.

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