Is it permissible to drink alcohol in public in Vietnam?

Is it permissible to drink alcohol in public in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 10 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages in 2019 stipulating places where alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed as follows:

- Health facilities.

- Educational institutions during teaching, learning and working hours.

- Nursing care centers and recreational centers for minors.

- Rehabilitation centers, compulsory educational institutions, reform schools, prisons and other detention facilities.

- Social protection centers.

- Workplaces of regulatory authorities, political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations and public service providers during working hours, except for places where the trade in alcoholic beverages is allowed.

- Public places prescribed by the Government.

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Decree 24/2020/NĐ-CP, 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:

- 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.

Above are places where alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed.

What are the fines for drinking alcohol at unallowed places in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 30 of the Decree 117/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating as follows:

- 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.

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

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

+ Inciting or persuading others to consume alcoholic beverages.

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

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

+ Forcing others to consume alcoholic beverages.

As regulations above, a fine ranging from VND 500.000 to VND 1.000.000 shall be imposed for consuming alcoholic beverages at places where the alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed.

What are the fines for drinking alcohol in a manner that disrupts public order in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 2 Article 7 of the Decree 144/2021/NĐ-CP, a fine ranging from 1.000.000 VND to 2.000.000 VND shall be imposed for any of the following violations:

- Using alcohol or stimulants in a manner that disrupts public order;

- Assembling, joining a crowd in a public area in a manner that disrupts public order;

- Allowing a domestic animal to cause injuries or damage to property of another organization or individual but not liable to criminal prosecution;

As regulations above, a fine ranging from 1.000.000 VND to 2.000.000 VND shall be imposed for using alcohol or stimulants in a manner that disrupts public order in Vietnam. In addition, the exhibits and means of administrative violations shall be confiscated.

Best regards!