Sugary drink consumption in Vietnam has increased sevenfold, and health consequences are rising
- Oct 31, 2025
- 3 min read
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ms. Trần Thị Trang, Deputy Director of the Legal Department (Ministry of Health), stated that sugary drinks refer to all types of beverages containing free sugars, including non-alcoholic soft drinks (carbonated or non-carbonated), fruit/vegetable juices, drinks made from fruit/vegetables in liquid or powdered form, flavored water, energy and sports drinks, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, and flavored milk drinks.
Sugary drink consumption in Vietnam has increased sevenfold over 15 years—from an average of 6.6 liters per person in 2002 to 46.5 liters in 2017, and 50.7 liters in 2018. On average, each person consumes about 46.5g of free sugar per day, nearly reaching the maximum limit (50g/day) and almost double WHO’s recommended level of below 25g/day.
Dr. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Diễm, Deputy Head of the Non-communicable Disease Control Department, stated that WHO recommends both adults and children reduce free sugar intake to below 10% of total energy consumption; reducing it further to below 5% (25g) daily provides additional health benefits.
Currently, the health burden from sugary drink consumption is increasing. Evidence shows that consuming sugary drinks is associated with global increases in overweight, obesity, tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic disorders, and certain cancers. These beverages also impose personal and societal burdens, increasing healthcare costs, reducing labor productivity due to illness, and lowering individuals’ quality of life.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that children aged 2–18 limit added sugar intake to less than 6 teaspoons (25g) per day—under 5% of total energy—and sugary drinks should be limited to no more than 235ml per week. Children under 2 years old should not consume any foods or beverages with added sugar.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vũ Thị Thu Hiền (National Institute of Nutrition) added that studies show a positive correlation between increased soft drink consumption and weight gain, waist circumference, and body fat. Women consuming more than 1.3 cans of sugary drinks per day have a 3.2-times higher risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders compared to those consuming fewer sugary drinks.
Excessive sugary drink intake also reduces nutrient absorption, such as calcium and vitamins.
Ministry of Health proposes higher taxes on beverages with more sugar
The Ministry of Finance’s report on the implementation of the Special Consumption Tax Law shows that Vietnam’s per-capita soft drink consumption in 2018 was 50.7 liters per year. In 2020, production of non-alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks reached 3.3 billion and 1.5 billion liters, respectively. Average beverage consumption was 34.1 liters/person/year, and carbonated drink consumption was 15.5 liters/person/year.
Vietnam has a young population, with 46% aged 15–45—an age group with high demand for soft drinks and targeted by manufacturers.
Globally, many measures have been applied to reduce sugary drink consumption, mainly including labeling and advertising regulations, reducing availability, communication campaigns, and implementing taxation and pricing policies.
WHO recommends taxing sugary drinks as an essential policy to reduce consumption, prevent obesity, and mitigate health impacts.
In the draft proposal to amend the Special Consumption Tax Law, the Ministry of Health suggested that all sugary beverages, including fermented fruit-based alcoholic drinks (cider), should be taxed based on sugar content per 100ml. Drinks below a certain sugar threshold would not be taxed; those exceeding it would face higher taxes—the more sugar, the higher the tax.
“Taxation will help reduce morbidity and mortality rates, relieve pressure on the healthcare system, and save the national budget. As retail prices increase, public health and state revenue will both benefit,” emphasized Ms. Trần Thị Trang.
Aligning with national health strategies
This proposal aligns with Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW (on enhancing health protection and care for the people) and Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW (on population work) of the 12th Party Central Committee, as well as the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 02/QĐ-TTg (January 5, 2022) approving the National Nutrition Strategy 2021–2030 and Vision to 2045, and the Government’s National Plan for Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Control 2022–2025.
These documents emphasize developing policies to improve nutrition, reduce disease and mortality burdens, introduce front-of-pack nutrition labeling, restrict advertising of unhealthy foods (especially to children), and impose special consumption taxes on sugary drinks.
Deputy Minister of Health Đỗ Xuân Tuyên stated that non-communicable diseases account for 70% of Vietnam’s total disease burden and 77% of all deaths—mainly from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Vietnamese youth (aged 5–19) increased sevenfold—from 2.6% in 2002 to 19% in 2020—and doubled among adults (from 10.9% in 2002 to 18.3% in 2016).
According to the Ministry of Health, the causes of obesity and non-communicable diseases are complex, but one key factor is the rising consumption of free sugars—especially from sugary drinks—among both children and adults.
Comments