Vietnam: What are the prohibited acts in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages? What are the public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited?

Main Content

• What are the prohibited acts in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam?
• What are the public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Vietnam?
• What are the State policies on prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam?

What are the prohibited acts in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages as follows:

Prohibited acts

1. Inciting, persuading and forcing another to consume alcoholic beverages.

2. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 18 years of age (hereinafter referred to as “minors”).

3. Selling, supplying and offering discounts on alcoholic beverages to minors.

4. Employing minors to directly engage in production, purchase and sale of alcoholic beverages.

5. Consumption of alcoholic beverages during working and learning hours and break time by officials, public employees and employees working for organizations, officers, enlistees, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and persons working for People's Armed Force, and students.

6. Operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

7. Advertising spirits having at least 15% ABV.

8. Providing inaccurate and misleading information about effects of alcoholic beverages on health.

9. Running sales promotions of alcoholic beverages having at least 15% ABV; using alcoholic beverages having at least 15% ABV to run sales promotions in any shape or form.

10. Using raw materials, additives and food processing aids not permitted for use in food; raw materials, additives and food processing aids that are unqualified and of unknown origins for production and preparation of alcoholic beverages.

11. Trading in spirits without any license or registration; selling alcoholic beverages using vending machines.

12. Trading in, possessing and transporting alcoholic beverages that are counterfeit, illegally imported, unqualified and of unknown origin, illegally importing alcoholic beverages.

13. Other prohibited acts related to alcoholic beverages as prescribed by law.

Thus, the prohibited acts in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam are:

- Inciting, persuading and forcing another to consume alcoholic beverages.

- Consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 18 years of age (hereinafter referred to as “minors”).

- Selling, supplying and offering discounts on alcoholic beverages to minors.

- Employing minors to directly engage in production, purchase and sale of alcoholic beverages.

- Consumption of alcoholic beverages during working and learning hours and break time by officials, public employees and employees working for organizations, officers, enlistees, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and persons working for People's Armed Force, and students.

- Operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

- Advertising spirits having at least 15% ABV.

- Providing inaccurate and misleading information about effects of alcoholic beverages on health.

- Running sales promotions of alcoholic beverages having at least 15% ABV; using alcoholic beverages having at least 15% ABV to run sales promotions in any shape or form.

- Using raw materials, additives and food processing aids not permitted for use in food; raw materials, additives and food processing aids that are unqualified and of unknown origins for production and preparation of alcoholic beverages.

- Trading in spirits without any license or registration; selling alcoholic beverages using vending machines.

- Trading in, possessing and transporting alcoholic beverages that are counterfeit, illegally imported, unqualified and of unknown origin, illegally importing alcoholic beverages.

- Other prohibited acts related to alcoholic beverages as prescribed by law.

What are the public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Vietnam?

According to the provisions of Article 3 of Decree 24/2020/ND-CP on public places where consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited as follows:

Public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited

Other than the places specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Article 10 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages, public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited include:

1. Parks, except restaurants inside the boundaries of parks which have obtained licenses to trade in alcoholic beverages before the effective date of this Decree.

2. Bus stops.

3. Cinemas, theaters, cultural and sports centers during the period of events that they host according to their licensed main purposes, tasks and functions, except when they host food and cultural events where consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted.

Thus, in addition to the places specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Article 10 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages, public places where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited include:

- Parks, except restaurants inside the boundaries of parks which have obtained licenses to trade in alcoholic beverages before the effective date of this Decree.

- Bus stops.

- Cinemas, theaters, cultural and sports centers during the period of events that they host according to their licensed main purposes, tasks and functions, except when they host food and cultural events where consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted.

What are the State policies on prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam?

According to the provisions of Article 3 of the Law on Prevention and Control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages 2019 on the State policies on prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages as follows:

- Implement measures to prevent and control harmful effects of alcoholic beverages in a uniform manner.

- Give priority to the dissemination of information and education; reduce the availability of and easy access to alcoholic beverages; strengthen management of home production of spirits; implement measures to prevent and control harmful effects of alcoholic beverages on children, students, adolescents and pregnant women.

- Provide resources for prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages; focus on prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages within internal local health centers and communities; encourage private sector involvement in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages.

- Encourage scientific research, technology development and application of high, advanced and new technologies with a view to reducing harmful effects of alcoholic beverages.

- Reward organizations and individuals that achieve accomplishments in prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages.