Vietnam ranks first in Southeast Asia in terms of beer and wine consumption growth though its GDP just stands at number eight in the region, according to statistics by the Hanoi-based Health Strategy and Policy Institute.

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Besides, the average consumption of beer and wine in the world has not increased in the last ten years, at around 6.2 liters (using wine as the unit) per capita per annum, the institute said. Meanwhile, each Vietnamese person drank an average of 3.8 liters of wine a year in the 2003-05 period, and 6.6 liters in 2010. 

Tuoi Tre News has culled opinions from some expats living and working in Ho Chi Minh City about the drinking habit in this country.

Tai Linda Lisa from Germany: ‘6.6 liters is not very much’

I lived in Vietnam for two months. The increasing amount of wine the Vietnamese drink sounds concerning to me, but for German standards, I think 6.6 liters of wine in one year is still not very much.

In Germany, I drink on special occasions or when I'm going out with some friends. Sometimes we enjoy a little bit of wine or other drinks in the evening but not more than twice a week. When with family, I would cheer with everyone and some members have a beer but no one would get overly drunk. On the other hand, at house parties, young people get usually really wasted as alcohol is cheap and easy to get at the stores.

Beer purchase is only a little bit cheaper here than back home. If I buy it in a big supermarket, it would be about the same price as German beer in Germany. Meanwhile, alcohol in Germany is a lot cheaper for locals than here. Especially, wine and strong liquids are way cheaper in Germany, which is dangerous for youngsters as they can get, for example, a whole liter of cheap and bad vodka for about 4 euros/US$5.

I think drinking is a very social thing here. When you meet friends or colleagues, you are most likely to drink alcohol. I don't know about age limits for purchasing beer in Vietnam but I guess that it’s easy to get, even underage girls can buy.

In my opinion, to make people drink less, the government should increase taxes on alcohol, which is the easiest way to make it more expensive. A greater knowledge of the bad health benefits of alcohol could be a way too.

I also think that people would drink less if it was less of a social thing to do, especially in working environments where many people are almost forced to drink in order not to seem weak or rude to their colleagues and bosses.

Tai Linda Lisa. Photo provided by Lisa

George Berczely from Argentina: ‘Vietnam has no culture of heavy drinking’

I have grown up in Argentina, where people enjoy a glass of good wine to go with the barbecue, but there is not much drinking. People there prefer red wine, while here it seems to be more beer with lots of ice. That seems logical considering the climate.

My personal impression after one year in Vietnam is that there is no culture of heavy drinking. Many people stick to soft drinks, or water down beer with plenty of ice, and it is quite acceptable not to drink alcohol.  

In my opinion, Vietnamese men and women enjoy getting together after work to relax. I like the fact that colleagues enjoy getting to know each other, as it is a good basis for trust and fun in workplaces. I have not seen much drinking – the focus is more on the excellent Vietnamese food.

I believe some studies show that drinking a glass of wine every now and then can have positive effects. Of course, drinking, like everything else, should be done in moderation. I am personally very health-conscious and prefer to avoid the extra calories, so I personally prefer not to drink at all.

George Berczely. Photo provided by Berczely

Lauren A. from the U.S.: ‘Government should crack down on drunk driving’

I have lived in Vietnam for just over four years and drink probably three nights a week on average.

I think alcohol and business go hand-in-hand in most Asian countries, especially in Vietnam. So, as the country further develops and becomes more successful, there are more opportunities for business meetings which involve alcohol.

I don't see anything wrong about the habit of hanging along for beer after work of many Vietnamese, as long as they're making it to work the next day on time and not inconveniencing their colleagues. Good sides of drinking, I suppose, include making people feel more at ease and comfortable and helping them relax. But we quickly cross into the bad side of drinking when we can't remember the night before, are mean, rude or abusive to our loved ones, and of course, driving after too many. It's a terrible shame how much drinking and driving are related. I think the Vietnamese government should find a way to crack down on drunk driving - it would save a lot of lives, hassle, stress, and grief.

Government controls the drinking age in the U.S. Drivers presumed under the influence are pulled over and handled accordingly based on their alcohol limit. Each state governs what time bars/clubs have to be shut down.

Homer Samaroo from the U.S.: “It’s easy to get beer in Vietnam”

I have lived in Vietnam for approximately six years. I have seen Vietnamese drink alcohol on special occasions, such as weddings or when someone has returned from abroad or got back to their hometown on Tet holiday. Many people drink to celebrate special occasions which usually happen on weekends when people are more free and able to consume alcohol.

I am not necessarily surprised at the high consumption of beer. Vietnamese society is more open to alcohol consumption, with very few restrictions or warnings to control its people’s drinking. People in Vietnam can easily and freely get beer or wine, without a problem. In the United States, you might have to prove that you are over 18, or even over 21, before you can buy alcohol.

In the U.S., surprisingly, there are lots of public service announcements on the radio or television about drinking, who can drink and where it can be done. There are public warnings about drinking and driving and the effect alcohol has on developing babies. If the public are made more aware of the hazard of beer or wine consumption, then it might limit and make it more manageable.

Americans usually drink beer or wine on different occasions. Friends might stay home to watch football on TV together, drinking beer, whenever there is an important game going on. They might drink a couple of beers. Or, couples might go out to dinner and drink a glass of wine. Office parties are also common places where people drink wine or beer. So there are many places and situations where alcohol is usually consumed.

Homer Samaroo. Photo provided by Samaroo