Source: John Menadue – Pearls and Irritations, 27 June, 2016.

Vietnam has high rates of drink-driving among young taxi drivers, workers, and beginning drivers, and very high rates of young people having traveled as a passenger alongside a drunk driver. The country is known as having a much higher alcohol consumption rate than in other countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Thailand (Huu Bich, et al. 2009). Drinking patterns in Vietnam are higher due to the cultural practice of drinking alcohol as a means for strengthening friendship and sharing.

According the Ministry of Health (2009), injuries are the 10th leading cause of death for people of all ages; road traffic fatalities account for half of those deaths and alcohol involvement in road crashes remains high. The police statistics indicated that drinking alcohol was a contributory factor in 7% of motor vehicle crashes.

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