Many hotpot and barbecue restaurants in Hanoi have lost customers since mid-February after the Hanoi Police’s campaign set up checkpoints to handle alcohol content violations.

The driver, Nguyen Thanh H., 56, was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.153 mg per litre after being breathalysed. Police seized his vehicle.

The maximum punishment for car drivers with alcohol concentration levels exceeding 0.4mg per litre of breath, or 80mg in 100 ml of blood, is a fine of VND40 million (US$1,693) and a two-year suspension of their driving licences.

As drink driving is common during the Tet holiday, the Ministry of Public Security has directed traffic police to strictly handle drunk drivers to ensure traffic safety across the country.