A recent report by the Vietnam Beverage Association shows that Vietnamese people consumed over 4 billion litres of beer last year. People are advised to drink alcohol in moderation to maintain drinking as a beauty in Vietnamese culture, especially during festivals, New Year holidays and gatherings.

Beer and wine are indispensable drinks at parties, in restaurants or at meal times of many families.

Drinking alcoholic beverages has become a habit of many people. People drink when they are happy or down. Or simply, they drink for no reason

Tran Minh Tuan, a resident in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi revealed that he drank everyday during summer and about 5 times a week in winter. Drinking is like his habit which he can’t give up, he added.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Hiep, a resident in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi said that he still sit down for some glasses of beer with his friend although he knows that it may cost a lot because he has little time meeting his fellows.

Do Dong Duc, a resident in Dong Da district, Hanoi has another reason for drinking. He said: “There are many pressures in life, we meet and drink for about 1-2 hours to relieve stress. It’s a culture.”

According to a recent report by the Vietnam Beverage Association, Vietnamese people consumed over 4 billion litres of beer last year, up 6 percent compared to 2016.

In 2008 Vietnam ranked the 8th in Asia in beer consumption, but 8 years later (in 2016) the country became the 3rd biggest beer consumer in the region, after Japan and China.

According to Nguyen Minh Phong, an economic expert, if the money spent on 4 billion litres of beer is used for other purposes such as investment capital it will be more useful.

It’s undeniable that wine and beer are important service economic models in the society. If people drink alcohol reasonably and responsibly, it will help to liven up the atmosphere and bring people closer together.

However, alcohol abuse is the reason behind accidents, crime and poisoning.

Trinh Hoa Binh, Deputy General Secretary of Vietnam Institute of Sociology told reporters: “Alcohol abuse will result in immeasurable consequences and loss of control”.

Drinking has become a tradition, a cultural activity of each country and each region. However alcohol misuse has tarnished the tradition. People should drink responsibly in order to avoid regrettable consequences.-VNA