At What Cost?

Vietnam is believed to be “the next key battleground for brewers” amid a sharp rise in the beer-drinking culture, says a recent Euromonitor International report.

A growing middle class and youth population have driven a 300% surge in beer demand since 2002. And the upcoming sale of the government’s majority stakes in the country’s 2 largest beer companies leaves the door wide open for foreign competitors.

Unfortunately, however, this new culture has also caused a rise in alcohol-related violence, drunk driving, suicides and drownings. And despite efforts to tighten regulations, public health experts fear it won’t be enough to curb the booming beer market.

Source: Bloomberg