On October 3, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a consultation, chaired by Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai, on developing a national technical regulation for alcoholic beverages.

Pressing need for updated standards

The consultation, attended by relevant MoIT departments, including the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion; the Department of Industry; the Domestic Market Surveillance Authority; the Import-Export Department; and the Trade Remedies Authority, also welcomed representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Vietnam Standards and Quality Institute, the Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association, the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association, and leading beverage producers.

Addressing the opening session, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai underscored that developing a new national technical regulation on alcoholic beverages is an urgent requirement to safeguard consumers, strengthen state management, and ensure feasibility for businesses. He highlighted four core issues that need particular attention.

First, in terms of consumer protection, alcoholic products may pose risks such as methanol or aldehyde poisoning, heavy metal contamination, or harmful microorganisms. Soft drinks, meanwhile, raise concerns regarding sugar and caffeine content, food additives, preservatives, and chemical residues in natural ingredients. Clear, consistent, and easy-to-apply limits are therefore essential to reduce risks and protect users.

Second, in terms of the legal framework, the existing regulation on alcoholic beverages was issued in 2010 and has been in force for 15 years. Vietnam’s legal system governing product quality and food safety has since undergone major revisions. MoIT, as the responsible agency, is tasked with updating and aligning the regulation with current laws and international practices.

Third, for producers and traders, a transparent and uniform regulatory framework will protect law-abiding businesses, support industry development, and enhance competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

Fourth, on feasibility, regulations must be grounded in science, compatible with Vietnam’s testing capacity, and introduced with a reasonable roadmap, giving enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized firms, adequate time to adapt.

“With that spirit, today’s workshop is an opportunity for us to share views, exchange experience, and propose solutions so that the new regulation will be both scientific and practical. I trust that with contributions from ministries, experts, associations and businesses, we will soon have a regulation of high quality that is easy to implement, ensures consumer protection, and fosters sustainable growth for Vietnam’s beverage industry,” Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai emphasized.

Drafting committee to integrate feedback, hold second consultation

During the discussions, representatives from MoIT agencies, other ministries, associations, and businesses shared technical inputs aimed at refining the draft regulation.

According to Dang Hong Anh, Head of the Department of Food and Beverage Technology under the Vietnam Institute of Food Industry, the new regulation will introduce four major changes.

First, it will build on QCVN 6-3:2010/BYT issued by the Ministry of Health, but update provisions to reflect EU requirements and international norms. Second, it will add traditional alcoholic beverages, such as craft liquor, to the scope of regulation, ensuring a clear legal framework for quality management. Third, testing methods, now outdated, will be modernized to ensure scientific rigor and practical applicability. Fourth, sampling methods will be updated in line with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s latest guidance issued in 2024.

From the business perspective, Pham Trung Kien, Deputy General Director of Hanoi Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Habeco), welcomed MoIT’s initiative, stressing that stricter standards would help protect public health. He also recommended clearer definitions for products such as white spirits, blended spirits, distilled liquor, and food-grade alcohol; additional rules for imports to avoid unfair treatment; and more consultations with enterprises and consumer associations.

Nguyen Minh Ha, representing the Food Safety Department under the Ministry of Health, suggested that traditional and craft liquors should not be included in the current draft, but addressed in a separate regulation, possibly developed by MoIT or in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

As the consultation concluded, a representative from the MoIT’s Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion affirmed that all contributions, both at the event and in written submissions, will be consolidated for revision. A second workshop will be held soon to present the updated draft. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue submitting feedback to ensure the regulation is comprehensive and widely applicable.