In February 2020, the Government issued Decree 17/2020 amending some provisions regarding conditions for alcohol business under Decree 105/2017. These amendments reflect the new Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages. In particular,

· Any producers of alcohol products having 5.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more for trading, distribution, wholesaling and retailing of alcohol must obtain an alcohol trading licence;

· Any traders selling alcohol with 5.5% ABV or more for on-site consumption, and trading alcohol having less than 5.5% ABV must register with the provincial Economics Sub-department or Economics and Infrastructure Sub-department;

· Households and individuals producing home alcohol having 5.5% ABV or more to sell to licensed alcohol producers must register with the local People's Committee;

· There are separate regulations for (1) trading of alcohol having 5.5% ABV or more, and (2) trading of alcohol having less than 5.5% ABV. In particular, trading of alcohol having less than 5.5% ABV is subject to fewer requirements and is not subject to an alcohol trading licence.

This post is written by Le Minh Thuy and edited by Nguyen Quang Vu.

Vietnam Business Law