Vietnam has second thoughts on zero tolerance for drunk driving

Ban to reduce traffic deaths also slashed sales in Asia's No. 2 beer market

20241001 Vietnam banned drunk driving .JPG

Men drink outside in Hanoi in 2021. Even though Vietnam remains Asia's second largest consumer of beer, the financial results of companies like Heineken have taken a hit. © Reuters

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

October 3, 2024 11:16 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnam's zero-tolerance policy for drunk drivers might become a bit more tolerant next year.

With brewers' revenue plunging, Hanoi is proposing to slash fines on drivers who have been drinking, regardless of how little, thus easing the beer industry's ongoing hangover from a law that took effect in 2020.