Tax rates on alcoholic beverages in Vietnam too low: WHO
Vietnamese consume too much alcohol: WHO

Groom Lam Tuan Anh, 25 and bride My Loan, 20, both residing in Dong Phu District decided to dispense with beer and serve bottled water and soft drinks at their wedding. — Photo thanhnien.vn

You can expect to down more than a few shots of rice wine to toast newlyweds up and down the country, but one couple in the southern province of Binh Phuoc have bucked the trend and opted for a dry wedding.

Groom Lam Tuan Anh, 25 and bride My Loan, 20, both residing in Dong Phu District decided to dispense with beer and serve bottled water and soft drinks at their wedding.

Many guests at the party were stunned, expecting to be in for an evening dulling their senses with alcohol only to be met with water.

Some were upset initially, but apparently the happy couple’s desire for everyone to stay awake and drive home in one piece was accepted, presumably grudgingly.

Tran Van Vinh, chairman of Dong Phu District People’s Committee, said it was the first healthy wedding party in the locality, adding that authorities have encouraged couples to limit the use of alcohol at weddings.

Drink-driving has become a hot button issue in Vietnam at last, so maybe suffering through a wedding or two sober is worth it to reduce traffic chaos.

VNS