The Ministry of Finance (MoF) plans to increase the excise tax on alcoholic drinks (wine, spirits and beer) by 15% from 2026 under a draft amendment to the Law on Special Consumption Tax.

Vietnam currently applies an excise tax on alcohol of 35–65% and beer of 65%.

Under the plan, the excise tax for beer will increase to 80% from 2026 and towards 100% by 2030.

Regarding wine and spirits with alcohol content of at least 20%, the ministry is seeking an excise tax of 80% in 2026 and 100% in 2030.

For wine and spirits with the alcohol content of less than 20%, the ministry proposed an excise tax of 50% in 2026, towards 70% in 2030.

The rising tax rate is expected to raise the retail prices of these products by 20% year-on-year from 2026 and 2-3% per year afterward.

The MoF proposed adjusting these rates following a roadmap from 2026 to 2030 to increase the retail price of these products by at least 10% according to recommendations made by the WHO.

The plan is aimed at discouraging consumption items due to their potential health risks and severe social consequences.