Vietnam, where Heineken sells Tiger and Larue beer as well as its eponymous brew, is a global hot spot for the industry, due to a youthful population and beer-drinking culture, making it a battleground for global brewers trying to offset mature economies with newer markets. Adding to investor enthusiasm, the government is in the process of selling stakes worth over $6 billion in its two major brewers, Ho Chi Minh City-based Sabeco, the market leader known for its Bia Saigon and 333 beers, and Habeco in the north, of which Carlsberg A/S owns 17.5 percent. FransEusman, head of Heineken's operations in Asia, said 2016 had been "spectacular" and Vietnamese growth would continue, though a shorter Lunar New Year holiday could temper that. The Tet holiday, Vietnam's new year celebration, begins on Friday and runs to Feb 1. Heineken, holding roughly a fifth of the Vietnamese market after 25 years in the country, bought the Vung Tau brewery in southern Vietnam from Carlsberg last year to expand brewing capacity, and Eusman said it is eyeing a push into the north to enlarge its footprint. Growth could be organic, or through deals, he said. "Vietnam is exceptional because alcohol consumption is focused on beer," he told Reuters, contrasting it with countries such as India, where the alcohol-consuming minority drinks spirits. "The privatisation of Sabeco and Habeco will potentially lead to change and opportunities within the Vietnamese beer market and we are following these developments closely," he said, declining to comment on Heineken's interest. The price of both Sabeco and Habeco shares have soared since they began trading as part of a complex state sale process, due to a small free float. Sabeco listed at 110,000 dong ($4.87) but has touched 226,300 dong; Habeco has touched 225,800 dong from a 39,000 dong starting price - prompting Carlsberg, in talks to buy more shares, to dismiss the rise as speculative. Eusman declined to comment on the matter. "I don't think there is a clear cut, formalised divestment process," Eusman said. Elsewhere in Asia, Heineken is growing in new markets like Myanmar, and expanding newer products such as non-alcoholic beer and cider, popular with sweet-toothed Asian drinkers. Heineken also owns 43 percent of India's largest brewer, United Breweries Ltd - a stake it could raise, Eusman said. Heineken initially acquired 37.5 percent of United Breweries in 2008 through its takeover of Scottish & Newcastle Ltd . It later raised its holding. "If shares are brought to the market and offered to us, of course we would consider buying them," said Eusman. "But we are not obsessively trying to take control." The second-largest shareholder in United Breweries is tycoon Vijay Mallya, who is wanted by authorities in India for questioning and left the country last year. He was charged with fraud earlier this month. Reuters reported last year that Heineken would likely ask Mallya to step down from the board, as a prelude to raising its stake above 50 percent. Eusman declined to comment. ($1 = 22,590.0000 dong)
More
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/325/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/23/eu-1721703623.png)
EU's Borrell to discuss security, climate policy with Vietnam next week
The EU and Vietnam have a free trade agreement in place since 2020
Read more
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/25/bankruptcy-1721900724.png)
Vietnamese court starts bankruptcy proceedings against firm that built almost 500 houses illegally
Phuc Thuan Phat Trading and Construction JSC, headquartered in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, had previously sent a request to the provincial court, asking for bankruptcy proceedings against LDG
1 day ago![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/25/online-shopping-1721898318.png)
In Vietnam, people spend $5.6bn shopping online in H1
Up to over 1.5 million products were sold through the five largest e-commerce platforms in Vietnam
1 day ago![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/stock-png-1721979683.png)
Vietnam state securities commission proposes allowing foreign investors to trade stocks without full deposits
If foreign investors fail to make full payments, securities companies through which foreign investors make transactions will take responsibility for the payment
14 hours ago![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/22/2-1721625869.png)
Da Nang puts huge number of apartments up for rent
Each apartment features one to three bedrooms
4 days ago![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/24/a-representative-from-vincss-introduces-the-startups-project-during-the-fido-munich-2024-event-in-be-1721815526.jpg)
Vietnamese business introduces automobile security solution to world
In front of hundreds of technology leaders from around the world, the Vietnamese firm presented their idea, which considerably improves security for smart automobiles
2 days agoHighlights
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/325/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/1-1721996519.jpg)
Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong laid to rest in Hanoi
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong entered into eternal rest at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi on Friday
Photos
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2021/04/25/mural-1-1619343370.jpg)
Artist paints murals on house to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention in Hanoi
He drew the virus, vaccine, and earth on the exterior walls of a house
Latest news
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/1-1721996519.jpg)
Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong laid to rest in Hanoi
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong entered into eternal rest at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi on Friday
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/arson-1721996256.png)
French rail network hit by 'sabotage' on eve of Paris Olympics
A fourth attempted act of vandalism south-east of the capital was thwarted by rail workers who spotted intruders in the early hours of Friday
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/stock-png-1721979683.png)
Vietnam state securities commission proposes allowing foreign investors to trade stocks without full deposits
If foreign investors fail to make full payments, securities companies through which foreign investors make transactions will take responsibility for the payment
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/z566878121414872ae13dec484da0b0bedf6c4e4f7941d-17219546456022046076025-1721981603.jpg)
Fire destroys 21 electric sightseeing cars in Vietnam’s Hoi An
The blaze broke out at around 4:30 am on Friday
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/longan-png-1721980373.png)
Long An seeks to build 3 bridges to enhance connectivity in southwest Vietnam
As proposed, Provincial Road 827E will feature three new bridges over the Can Giuoc, Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/drug1-png-1721979173.png)
19-year-old girl detained for transporting 15kg of illicit drugs from Laos to Vietnam
The provincial border guard teamed up with the police in Savannakhet, Laos to arrest two more Vietnamese people for their involvement in the cross-border drug trafficking ring
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/9-png-1721977891.png)
Thousands of residents queue up for hours to pay tribute to Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong
Over 5,600 delegations, comprising 252,000 people, paid their final respects to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/yqoxnyesnzn3xbsvlnmzfhr364-1721976895.jpg)
OpenAI enters Google-dominated search market with SearchGPT
Shares of Google's parent company Alphabet ended three percent lower on Thursday after OpenAI's announcement
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/1-png-1721977028.png)
Vietnam Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s car makes appearance at his funeral
The car reflected the Party leader’s simple, economical, humble lifestyle, and his devotion to the nation and people
![](https://ttnfly.tuoitrenews.vn/185/0/ttnew/r/2024/07/26/paris-png-1721969077.png)
Paris to kick off 2024 Games under tight security
Some 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 private security staff will ensure the safety of the parade along the river Seine, its banks and surrounding monuments, in an unprecedented display of security