A driver is tested for alcohol level in Hanoi (Source: tienphong.vn)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Up to 3,785 cases of drink driving have beenhandled in the first seven days of 2020, with total fines of more than 12.5billion VND (539,400 USD).
According to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of PublicSecurity, localities with a high number of violations include Tay Ninh, Dak Lakand Bac Giang, with 308, 214 and 203 cases, respectively.
Regarding concerns about the effect of fermented fruit or cough medicine on adriver’s alcohol level, a representative from the department said over 150samples [from drivers that had eaten fruit] have been taken and none of themshowed any elevated alcohol levels.
The alcohol level created by eating a small amount of fermented fruit or coughsyrup generally dissipated two to five minutes after consumption, he said.
Lieutenant General Vu Do Anh Dung, head of the Traffic Police Department, saiddrivers were allowed to request a second breathalyser test if they wanted toprove they hadn't been drinking.
Dung also said that under the new rule which takes effect on January 15, peoplecould supervise or film traffic police officers at work so problems related tothe settlement of traffic violations would end.
According to new regulations, car drivers will be fined 30-40 million VND (1,297-1,729USD) and have their driving licences revoked for 22-24 months if they arecaught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Motorcyclists may face a 6-8 million VND (259-346 USD) fine and have theirdriving licences revoked for 22-24 months for the same offence.
A report from the National Committee for Traffic Safety revealed that thenumber of deaths caused by traffic accidents decreased by six persons per daysince Decree 100/2019 and the Law on Alcohol Harm Prevention which bans driversfrom drinking any alcohol took effect on January 1.
Traffic police will intensify their campaign to deal with violators on the roaduntil February 14.
A study by the Viet Duc Transport Research Institute pointed out that nearly 40percent of traffic accidents in Vietnam were linked to excessive drinking.
According to the Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage Association, Vietnamese peopleconsumed 4 billion litres of beer in 2017. Each Vietnamese person consumed anaverage of 43 litres of alcohol per year, making the country the third-largestper capita consumer in Asia, just behind China and Japan./.
The Prime Minister issued Notice No. 1095/CD-TTg to direct relevant ministries, sectors and localities to push forward with measures to ensure traffic safety in the third quarter.
Traffic police imposed penalties on nearly 6,424 drivers with alcohol levels exceeding the permitted level and 74 drivers under the influence of drugs during nationwide traffic inspections last month.
Fermented fruit lovers can breathe a sigh of relief now police have confirmed that blood-alcohol levels fall rapidly after consumption, meaning it's fine for them to drive home without being over the limit.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
A driver is tested for alcohol level in Hanoi (Source: tienphong.vn) 
