Vietnam’s Alcoholic Beverage Industry

The alcoholic beverage market in Vietnam is experiencing a fierce competition between local and international players, especially in the beer industry. The market has witnessed continuous growth in recent years in terms of production and consumption. Major drivers of growth are the economy, a young population, the rise in disposable income, and the drinking culture prevalent in Vietnam.

Market overview

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam has consumed 3.92 billion liters of alcoholic beverages in 2016 and was ranked 16th amongst the largest alcoholic beverage consuming countries in the world. Beer contributed 3.78 billion or 96.63 percent of the total, making Vietnam one of the top 10 beer consuming countries, and the third largest in Asia after Japan and China. Last year, Vietnam’s beer consumption reached 4 billion liters. By 2020, consumption of alcoholic beverages and beer, in particular, are projected to reach 4.97 and 4.84 billion liters, respectively.

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Around 90 percent of Vietnam’s market is controlled by the top four breweries including Sabeco, Habeco, Heineken, and Hue Brewery, while new players like Sapporo, AB InBev, and Masan Brewery share the remaining 10 percent. In 2016, 1.640 billion liters of alcoholic products consumed were produced by Sabeco, while Habeco sold 717.4 million liters. International brands including Heineken, Carlsberg, and others contributed 1.428 billion liters.

Sabeco, the biggest brewery with a market share of 40 percent, has been controlled by Thaibev – Thailand’s largest beverage enterprise from December last year. The deal worth US$4.84 billion for a 53.6 percent stake is considered as a historical record in Vietnam’s M&A market. After acquiring 100 percent shares of Hue Brewery, which is a Vietnamese-originated brewery, Carlsberg is planning to increase its shares in Habeco, Vietnam’s second-largest beer maker from 17.51 percent to 61.79 percent in 2018. The beer market continues to be a vibrant and profitable market for international players.

Industry opportunities

Growing working-age population with an increasing income

Vietnam’s population is projected to reach 100 million by 2020 with the working-age population accounting for 60 percent of the total, and a median age of 30. This group is a major target market as it is the largest consumer of beer in the country. In addition, 77.3 percent of the male population consume alcoholic products, which is twice the average and the highest figure in the world. Furthermore, Vietnam’s middle class will double in size by 2020, reaching 33 million – the fastest growth rate in South East Asia. 

A research conducted by the Leuven University shows that if income per capita in poor countries increase, citizens of those countries will consume more beer. However, if the income per capita reaches to US$ 27,000 per year, there will be a decrease in beer consumption caused by an increasing awareness of harmful effects of drinking beer and a tendency to consume other expensive alcoholic products like wine. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the income per capita of Vietnamese people was only US$ 2,385 USD in 2017.

Drinking culture

According to a survey on beer drinking conducted by the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, targeted at Vietnamese people, especially the young, most of the respondents agreed that drinking alcoholic products is to well observe social etiquette, exhibit a proper manner at work, and build and maintain social networking and business relationships. This mindset has existed in Vietnamese society for ages. In addition, Vietnamese people are able to consume alcoholic products for any celebrations.

The drinking culture also reflects on consumer behavior and understanding it is vital. A research conducted by Ipsos UU reveals crucial differences in alcoholic consumption behaviors of people living in the three main regions of Vietnam. Northern Vietnam based consumers tend to be trend followers, pay strong attention to packaging, especially for products that are gifted and have considerable knowledge of different brands.

Central Vietnam based consumers tend to be reserved, less willing to try new brands, and prefer local brands. The absence of a variety of brands can be a key reason for this trend. By contrast, people living in Southern Vietnam are classified as easy-going consumers who are willing to try new brands and are knowledgeable about different brands.

Foreign brand obsession

Vietnamese people have seen vast improvements in their standard of living and consumer spending power, along with a strong obsession with foreign products, believing them to be of higher quality. Therefore, Vietnamese consumers nowadays are willing to pay more money to try higher quality products, thus creating room for imported products.

In addition, as the retail industry is moving away from traditional to modern retail, it is not difficult for consumers to find imported alcoholic products in the supermarkets.

According to a 2020 projection, 492.9 million liters of high-end products will be consumed, while the figures for mid-range and low-cost products will be 3 and 1.34 billion liters, respectively.

Custom duties removal under Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements

Vietnam has received benefits deriving from several free trade agreements (FTAs), including six collective FTAs and four bilateral FTAs. 

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EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) signed in 2019 is expected to come into force in early 2020, further increasing market access.

The main objective of FTAs is to make an integrated market among country members by substantially reducing or fully liberalizing custom tariffs for imported products. Taxes applied to products in Vietnam are as follow:

Inbound manufactured products/Local manufactured products:

• Special Consumption Tax (SCT) = SCT rate x Selling price before VAT
• Value Added Tax (VAT) = VAT rate x (Selling price before VAT + SCT)

Imported products:

• Import Tax = Import tax rate x import price
• SCT = SCT rate x (Import price + Import tax)
• VAT = VAT rate x (Import price+ import tax + SCT)

The removal of import tax will not only reduce the special consumption tax but also the price of imported products and will provide a level playing field for imported and domestic products.

Removal of beer stamping policy

In the third quarter of 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade finally clarified that there will no beer stamping policy as it may lead to higher costs for businesses. This policy was proposed by the Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage Association (VBA) in 2011 as an effort to manage beer production and deal with illicit and counterfeit beer. If this policy comes into force, breweries will bear an extra cost of VND 1.7 trillion a year leading to a hike in beer prices.

Industry challenges

Special excise duty

According to the Law on Special Excise Duty No.70/2014/QH13, from 2018 onwards, special consumption tax rates imposed on alcoholic products with ABV < 20^o, ≥ 20^o, and beer, will be 35 percent, 65 percent, and 65 percent respectively.

Noticeably, the schedule of special consumption tax for these kinds of products has witnessed a five percent increase annually since 2016. If this trend continues, it can lead to a higher special consumption tax in 2019, further increasing prices.

Advertising limit  

Under the Law on Advertising No.16/2012/QH13, mass advertising is not permitted for alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 15 percent, with the exception of beer. This regulation will prevent the development of beer alternative products like wines whose market shares are considerably smaller, at 3.37 percent.

In addition, pursuant to Decree No.181/2013/ND-CP following the Law of Advertising, Vietnamese enterprises are required to work with Vietnam-based licensed advertising services providers. This prohibition will prevent Vietnamese enterprises to employ other useful and low-cost tools to advertise products such as Facebook.

Cap on liquor distribution and wholesaling license

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has promulgated the Decision No.2219/QD-BCT on approval for “planning for network of liquor distribution and/or wholesaling nationwide by 2015 with a vision towards 2035.”

The Decision mentions the quantity of the Licenses for liquor distributors or wholesalers in pursuant to Decree No.94/2012/ND-CP issued by the Vietnamese government, as follows:

• The quantity of the licenses for liquor distribution is determined based on the national population: no more than 01 License for liquor distribution for 400,000 people;
• The quantity of the licenses for liquor wholesaling is determined based on the provincial population: no more than 01 License for liquor wholesaling for 100,000 people.

The Decision has scheduled the network of liquor distribution and wholesaling for two specific periods:

• From 2015 to 2025: no more than 249 Licenses for liquor distribution are issued, no more than 996 Licenses for liquor wholesaling are issued;
• From 2026 to 2035: no more than 264 Licenses for liquor distribution are issued, no more than 1056 Licenses for liquor wholesaling are issued.

Future forecast

Vietnam is among the world’s top ten highest beer consuming countries, but the beer consumption per capita solely stands at 50th in the world. With a growing population and increase in income, the prospect of growth of beer consumption in Vietnam is substantial. The beer-loving market is set to continue growing through 2035 when sales are projected to hit 5.5 billion liters or 52 liters per capita.

The M&A deal between Thaibev and Sabeco, which was previously controlled by the Vietnamese government at 90 percent, was the first time the government sold a majority stake to foreign investors. This demonstrates a strong commitment by the government towards state divestments to create a liberalized business environment.

Vietnam’s alcoholic beverage market will continue to be a priority for international players, promising to bring a fierce but fair competition in the field. Currently led by four players, the market will continue to attract numerous investments from foreign investors looking to tap into one of the largest and fastest-growing beer markets.

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