Local news outlet, Nguoi Lao Dong, reported Tuesday that Vietnamese authorities had confiscated 3,230 cartons of imported beer of unclear origin during an inspection at a storage site in Ho Chi Minh City the same day.
At issue were foreign language labels on the beer, which was branded Pearl River, that suggested to authorities that the beer was imported, yet no Vietnamese language labels, production and expiry dates, or the details of the importer, which the authorities determined was enough to confiscate the beer on the grounds that it was of an ‘unknown origin’.
The owner of the warehouse Zhuo Man Import-Export Trading Company said it was holding the beer under a logistics and warehousing contract, for a third party.
With each carton of beer priced at VND 215,000 each, the entire haul was worth an estimated VND 694.45 million (US$26,366), according to the publication.
This is noteworthy in that product origin, while it has always been an issue, was put front and centre last year amid allegations Vietnam was being used as a transhipment hub for Chinese goods to get around US tariffs.
In this context, this speaks to the on-the-ground efforts being made to better monitor and control product origins and supply chains.
Vietnam’s beer industry
Vietnam’s beer industry is one of the largest and most developed in Southeast Asia, driven by strong domestic consumption and a young, urbanising population.
The market has historically been dominated by large domestic brewers alongside multinational groups, with beer deeply embedded in social and dining culture.
In recent years, the industry has shifted toward premiumisation, with rising demand for higher-quality lagers, craft beer, and differentiated brands.
At the same time, tighter regulations on alcohol advertising and drink-driving have reshaped consumption patterns, pushing brewers to focus more on branding, distribution efficiency, and value-added products.
Vietnam beer production
Vietnam produced 409.85 million liters of beer in December, down 8.34 percent from 447.14 million liters in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 4,601.87 million liters by the end of December.
Listed Vietnam beer makers
Hanoi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation
Hanoi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation (BHN) is based in Hanoi and produces well-known beer brands including Hanoi Beer and Truc Bach.
BHN closed at VND 33,000 on Tuesday down 0.7 percent with 409,000 shares traded, worth VND 1,350 million.
Foreign ownership in BHN is currently capped at 49.0 percent, with current foreign ownership sitting at 17.6 percent.
Saigon Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Corporation
Saigon Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Corporation (SAB) brews and distributes beer and beverages under brands such as Saigon and 333.
SAB closed at VND 52,300 on Tuesday up 1.2 percent with 36,335,000 shares traded, worth VND 192,216 million.
Foreign ownership in SAB is currently capped at 100.0 percent, with current foreign ownership sitting at 58.4 percent.