Proposed ban on late liquor sale sparks controversy among expats in Vietnam

Tuoi Tre News

Updated : 07/21/2014 15:05 GMT + 7 

 There is debate brewing among expats in Vietnam over the recent proposed prohibition on the sale of liquor between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am the following day.

Ben Robinson from the UK is skeptical about the health effects brought about by the possible prohibition.

“The health effects of closing at 10:00 pm will be bad because it makes people drink more during the evening, then leave the bars drunk at the same time,” said Ben, adding that: “It might also cause violence and major problems for police.”

According to the British expat, the UK government used to implement a law that prohibited pubs and bars from selling alcohol after 11:00 pm. However, the ban was not effective and the government changed the law a few years ago to allow bars and pubs to be open 24 hours a day.

The new law still remains controversial due to the perceived increase in potential for binge drinking and the effects the change will have on social dynamics.

However, the new law's defenders have claimed that the relatively early closing time of 11:00 pm contributed to binge drinking, as patrons hurried to drink before closing time.

The Labor Party also claimed that the fixed closing time contributed to social disorder, as drunken pub patrons exited the bars all at once, according to Robinson.

Meanwhile, Chris Puchalski from the U.S., who usually drinks beer two or three times per week, said the Vietnamese government seemed to try to come up with a solution too quickly. “I feel they should set long-term solutions. It may take years but the outcome will be easier to accept,” he said.

According to Puchalski, local authorities can propose to stop selling all alcohol from the stores and markets from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am but let the bars continue to serve alcohol because this proposal will financially affect a lot of small bars and restaurants.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on the phone Saturday, French expat Morgan, owner of a bar in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area based in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, insisted that the draft law will never be enforced.

“If the draft bill is passed, all bars including mine in the area will be shut down. It not only affects the local economy but puts an end to the nightlife here,” he pointed out.

British expat Ian Gooch, who has lived in Vietnam for three years, commented that the proposal is a step backwards for Vietnam’s budding tourist industry.

“The biggest impact will be on the tourist industry. Many people go on holiday to relax and that includes drinking alcohol,” he said. “Who wants to be in a country where you can drink beer for breakfast but cannot drink wine with a late dinner?”

Jake Houseago agreed with his compatriot. “If the draft law is passed, where will everyone go for a beer?” Jake said.   

“Some days I finish work at 10:00 pm. I like to have a beer after work sometimes. So it would piss me off if I couldn't buy one,” he elaborated.

Tons of foreigners drink out in the Pham Ngu Lao backpackers area in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1. File photo credit: Tuoi Tre 

Feasible or unfeasible?

No stores, bars, restaurants or eateries are allowed to sell alcoholic drinks between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am the following day, the Ministry of Health said in a draft law aimed at preventing negative effects of alcohol abuse released last Friday.

Also under the draft law, sellers are only permitted to sell a can of beer per hour, and no more than three cans a day to each male customer, while the limit for female customers is one can for every two hours and no more than two cans a day.

Sellers are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to people who are under 18, pregnant women, or those who have reached the drinking limit.

“Whether the law is feasible depends on the awareness of each individual,” Nguyen Huy Quang, head of the legislative department under the Ministry of Health, told Phap Luat Thanh Pho (Ho Chi Minh City Law) newspaper.

“As observed in other countries, we call on the responsibility and awareness of alcohol drinkers to follow the law.”

The proposed ban raised objections shortly after it was made public, with many people protesting that it is not feasible to enact such a ban.

The question is how law enforcement officers could frequently check all of the alcohol-selling facilities to determine whether they breach the law or not, and how they could know if an individual has passed their drinking limit.

Quang also said the 10:00 pm to 6:00 am time span is proposed based on the health ministry’s studies of similar laws from other countries. “Drinking beer or alcohol after 10:00 pm is bad for one’s health, and can also cause societal disorder,” he said.