No. Drinking in public is generally prohibited under Vietnam’s Penal Code and local administrative regulations, with exceptions for licensed venues and private spaces. Authorities enforce this to curb public disorder, with fines up to VND 5 million (2024) and potential criminal liability for repeat offenses. The Ministry of Public Security and provincial police departments actively monitor compliance, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Key Regulations for Drinking in Public in Vietnam
- Decree 144/2021/ND-CP criminalizes public intoxication or drinking that disrupts order, with fines ranging from VND 1–5 million for individuals and VND 5–10 million for establishments enabling violations. Local police forces, such as Hanoi’s Public Security Department, prioritize enforcement in tourist-heavy districts like Hoàn Kiếm.
- Local ordinances in major cities further restrict drinking in “sensitive zones” (e.g., near schools, government buildings, or religious sites). For instance, Ho Chi Minh City’s 2023 directive bans alcohol sales after 10 PM in District 1’s core areas.
- 2026 compliance shifts introduce mandatory QR-code tracking for alcohol vendors, requiring digital registration of sales to provincial authorities. Non-compliance risks license revocation under the 2024 Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Use of Alcohol.
Enforcement varies by jurisdiction, but violators face escalating penalties, including mandatory alcohol education programs. Foreigners are not exempt; diplomatic missions report frequent fines for public drinking near embassies in Hanoi.