From Thailand to Vietnam, Asia acquires taste for buzz-lite alcohol

COVID and rising incomes fuel demand for healthier, low-proof alternatives

Men drink beer on the street in Hanoi. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's largest consumer of beer. © Reuters

JUNYA HENMI, TOMOYA ONISHI and YUICHI SHIGA, Nikkei staff writers

June 28, 2022 07:12 JST

TOKYO/HANOI/MANILA -- From Thailand to the Philippines, more drinkers across Southeast Asia are turning to less-potent beverages and even alcohol-free versions of their favorite drinks so that they can avoid the throbbing headaches and other unpleasantness that follows an evening of overindulgence.