What are penalties for people under 18 years old for consumption of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam? How much is fine for selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 years old in Vietnam?

What are penalties for people under 18 years old for consumption of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam? 

According to Clause 2, Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages 2019, the following acts are strictly prohibited in preventing and combating the harmful effects of alcohol and beer:

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

Article 30 of Decree 117/2020/ND-CP stipulates violations against regulations on consumption of alcoholic beverages and places where alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed as follows:

1. A warning or a fine ranging from VND 200.000 to VND 500.000 shall be imposed upon a person aged from 16 to under 18 for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

2. A fine ranging from VND 500.000 to VND 1.000.000 shall be imposed for commission of one of the following violations:

a) Consuming alcoholic beverages at places where the alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed;

b) Inciting or persuading others to consume alcoholic beverages.

3. A fine ranging from VND 1.000.000 to VND 3.000.000 shall be imposed for commission of one of the following violations:

a) Consuming alcoholic beverages before or during working or learning hours or break times;

b) Forcing others to consume alcoholic beverages.

Pursuant to Clause 5, Article 4 of Decree 117/2020/ND-CP regulating fine levels:

5. The fines prescribed in Chapter II hereof are imposed on violating individuals. The fine imposed on an organization is twice as much as that imposed on an individual for the same administrative violation.

So, your brother is only 17 years old and drinking alcohol is breaking the law in Vietnam. Your brother may be warned or fined from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND for drinking alcohol while under 18 years old.

What are penalties for people under 18 years old for consumption of alcoholic beverages in Vietnam? How much is fine for selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 years old in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

How much is fine for selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 years old in Vietnam?

According to Clause 3, Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages 2019, the following acts are strictly prohibited in preventing and combating the harmful effects of Alcoholic Beverages:

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

Article 31 of Decree 117/2020/ND-CP stipulates violations against regulations on sale and supply of alcoholic beverages as follows:

1. A fine ranging from VND 1.000.000 to VND 3.000.000 shall be imposed for commission of one of the following violations:

a) Selling or supplying alcoholic beverages to persons aged under 18;

b) Failing to post a notice stating that “It’s is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18” at a prominent place in the establishment that sells alcoholic beverages.

2. A fine ranging from VND 5.000.000 to VND 10.000.000 shall be imposed for commission of one of the following violations:

a) Selling alcoholic beverages at places where the sale of alcoholic beverage is not allowed;

b) Establishing a new on-premise establishment within a radius of 100 m from the outer boundary of a health facility, kindergarten, nursery school, pre-school or general education school.

3. A fine ranging from VND 10.000.000 to VND 20.000.000 shall be imposed for failing to satisfy one of the eligibility requirements when selling alcoholic beverages through e-commerce.

4. Additional penalty:

The license to trade alcoholic beverages shall be suspended for a fixed period of 01 - 03 months in case of commission of the violation in Point b Clause 2 or Clause 3 of this Article.

Therefore, the person who sold alcohol to your brother when your brother was only 17 years old will be fined from 1,000,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND in Vietnam.

How much is fine for reminding people under 18 not to consume alcoholic beverages in Vietnam?

According to Article 36 of Decree 117/2020/ND-CP regulating violations against regulations on dissemination of information and education about prevention and control of harmful effects of alcohol beverages as follows:

1. A fine ranging from VND 500.000 to VND 1.000.000 shall be imposed for failing to educate, supervise and remind family members aged under 18 not to consume alcoholic beverages.

2. A fine ranging from VND 3.000.000 to VND 5.000.000 shall be imposed for failing to ensure accuracy, objectivity and rationality when disseminating and providing information and education about prevention and control of harmful effects of alcoholic beverages.

3. A fine ranging from VND 10.000.000 to VND 15.000.000 shall be imposed for providing inaccurate or misleading information on affects of alcoholic beverages on health.

4. Remedial measure:

The violating entity is compelled to rectify or remove inaccurate information in case of commission of the violation in Clause 2 or 3 of this Article.

According to this Article, if your father sees your brother drinking alcohol but does not warn him about it, he will be fined from 500,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND in Vietnam.

Best regards!