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.