Sabeco dominates the southern market; Bia Hue is well known in the central region, Habeco is favored by Hanoians; and Heineken is the foreign brand known throughout the country.

The report from a securities company shows that the four big brewers make up 90 percent of the beer available in the market. The remaining market share is held by foreign invested brands in Vietnam, namely Sapporo and AB InBev, and by smaller companies such as Masan Brewery and Southeast Asian Brewery of Carlsberg. 

The sales account for 35 percent in the north, 6 percent in the central region and 59 percent in the south.

The difference in beer consumption and taste in different regions explain the dominance of the brewers. 

While Sabeco in HCMC and Habeco in Hanoi were established as state-owned enterprises, Bia Hue was initially a joint venture between Hue City authorities and Carlsberg with capital contribution of 50/50. 

The three brewers occupy and rule over three regions with market share that is proportional to the local population. The southern region is the largest market, followed by the north and then the central region.

With 24 breweries, which can produce 1.8 billion liters of beer a year, Sabeco now holds 40 percent of the market share.

Sabeco is a giant in the market thanks to its many breweries, especially in the south.

The brewer is attempting to conquer the northern market, with its market share in the area increasing from 10 percent in 2014 to 15.5 percent in the first half of 2016. 

The Vietnamese beer market is controlled by four big brewers, with each of them ruling unchallenged over an area for many years.

Meanwhile, Habeco’s northern market share fell from 55 percent to 50 percent during that time.

Heineken, with 25 percent of the market share, better known for high-end products, holds 67 percent of the high-end market share, of which 40 percent belongs to Tiger and 27 percent to Heineken.

Heineken now has five breweries in Vietnam, including three in the south and two in the central region.

Habeco, with output of 700 million liters of beer in 2015, holds 18 percent of the market share and 50 percent of the northern market share. Like Sabeco, which is favored by southerners, Habeco fits Hanoians’ tastes.

Bia Hue (Hue Brewery) of Carlsberg, located in Hue City, is the largest brewery in the central region. In 2015, it sold 250 million liters of Huda and Huda Gold beer brands.

Kim Chi