Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital announced on Feb 3 that during the five days of the Lunar New Year from Jan 30, it admitted four intellectuals with high social positions, who suffered alcohol poisoning from liquor gifted on the occasion of Tet, with one fatality.

According to Dr. Nguyen Dam Chinh, from the hospital’s Intoxication Treatment Center, a 32-year-old male from Thanh Tri, Ha Noi was rushed to the hospital on Feb 2 (the 3rd day of Tet) in critical conditions, with internal organ failure and blood acidification. He died the following day.

The victim had gulped down different kinds of alcoholic drinks, which were presented to him as Tet gifts.

Apart from cases in intoxication and food poisoning, there was a sharp rise in admissions treated for poisoning from insecticides, sleeping pills in suicide attempts, from kerosene, and bleach. Some 8-10 people were treated each day.

According to Nguyen Tien Quyet, head of Hanoi’s Viet Duc Hospital, the number of its inpatients didn’t drop much compared to normal days. By Feb 3 (the 4th day of Tet), the hospital had received almost 550 patients.

Most of them are victims of traffic accidents and blasts from illegal use of firecrackers.