How to boost sales for restaurants amid zero-tolerance anti-drunk driving policy

Due to the strict regulation of zero blood alcohol content when driving, when we drivers have to get behind the wheel, we cannot drink any beer or alcohol for 12 hours beforehand.

In my neighborhood, there are several traffic police checkpoints that are active in the morning, so no one wants to be fined just because of a glass of beer they had the night before. Because we do not drink beer or alcohol, we also do not go to restaurants or dine out with our families often.

I must admit that the authorities’ zero tolerance for drunk driving saves us quite a bit of money each month. It also has very positive impacts on traffic safety and society.

However, those are not the only changes brought about by the regulation.

Near my house, there is a lady who sells very delicious sticky rice. Two years ago, she used to have a lot of customers early in the morning and would usually sell out by around 8 a.m.

But now, I often see her selling well into 9 a.m. When asked, she told me that she used to cook around 17 kilograms of sticky rice each morning, which sold very quickly back then. She only prepares 10 kilograms per day now, but sales have been slower recently because she has received much fewer customers than before.

Half of her customer base consisted of early market-goers who were in charge of procuring supplies for restaurants and eateries. Recently, restaurants and beer bars have been procuring less food because their sales took a massive hit due to the anti-drunk driving regulation. Thus, the number of workers handling purchases has dwindled, affecting the sticky rice seller.

I do not have detailed economic data about the alcohol beverage market in Vietnam, but the amount of money circulating in that industry certainly is nothing to scoff at. Many people earn their livelihood either directly from or based on that industry, including the sticky rice seller I mentioned. Hence, I think this is an important issue for the economy.

In my opinion, there needs to be a solution to both reduce drunk driving and ensure the growth of the food service industry and other sectors in society, especially when public transportation, like buses and trains, is lacking. Only then can the economy develop sustainably.

What are your thoughts on the zero blood alcohol content regulation for drivers?

Reader Phan Tan

*This opinion was translated into English by AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.