Vietnam Parliament Approves Hiking Tax Alcoholic Drinks 90 By 2031 2025 06 14
Reuters19 hrs
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
These tax hikes are necessary public health measures that will save lives and reduce health care costs. Vietnam faces a serious alcohol crisis, with 41,000 annual deaths, and these gradual increases give consumers time to adapt while steering them toward healthier choices. The WHO's strong endorsement validates this approach.
Government-critical narrative
Vietnam's drinking culture runs too deep to be uprooted by policy alone, and these measures represent more of a speed bump than a roadblock for the industry. The gradual implementation helps consumers adapt, and behavioral shifts toward home consumption were already underway before these tax changes took effect.