On October 19, 2025, the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City witnessed an intensified campaign against drunk driving, as the city’s Traffic Police launched an all-day, all-night crackdown on alcohol violations. This operation, spanning from the city’s busy downtown avenues to its quieter suburban roads, underscored the authorities’ zero-tolerance approach and their resolve to curb traffic accidents linked to alcohol consumption.
According to reports from VOH and other local outlets, the initiative saw officers from multiple traffic police units—including the Rach Chiec, Hàng Xanh, Bến Thành, and Bình Triệu teams—setting up checkpoints and conducting random breath tests at all hours. The campaign was not limited to nighttime operations, as daytime checks became just as frequent, a shift that took some drivers by surprise.
The crackdown quickly yielded results. At precisely 12:35 PM, Mr. N.V.D., born in 1969 and residing in Hiệp Bình ward, was flagged down while riding his motorcycle on Street 17 in Thu Duc. Officers noticed signs of intoxication and administered a breathalyzer test, which revealed an alcohol concentration of 0.157 mg/l. To make matters worse, Mr. D. was unable to produce a driving license, vehicle registration, or even an ID card when asked. The outcome? A 2.5 million VND fine and a deduction of four points from his driving license—a significant penalty by any measure. The message was clear: even midday, no one was exempt from scrutiny.
Elsewhere, at the intersection of Van Hanh Suoi Nhum and Street No. 5 in Linh Xuan ward, another violator, Mr. P.T.M. (born 1984, originally from Khanh Hoa), registered a much higher alcohol concentration of 0.535 mg/l. His penalty was even steeper: a 9 million VND fine and a 23-month suspension of his driving license. The severity of these sanctions reflected the authorities’ determination to make an example of those who flout the law.
But these weren’t isolated incidents. Over just 12 hours—from noon on October 18 to midnight on October 19—the Rach Chiec Traffic Police recorded and processed 37 cases of alcohol-related violations. Some drivers were caught with alarmingly high blood alcohol levels. For instance, Mr. Tran Van B. was found with a concentration of 0.661 mg/l while riding his motorbike on National Highway 1K, while Mr. Tran Van T. blew an even higher 0.804 mg/l. According to VOH, these cases were handled with strict administrative penalties, including hefty fines, license suspensions, and even temporary vehicle impoundment.
Not all drivers accepted their fate quietly. One 50-year-old man, stopped at 9:30 PM on National Highway 13 in Hoa Loi ward, tested at 0.702 mg/l. While officers wrote up the administrative violation and prepared to suspend his license, the man filmed the proceedings on his phone and protested: “I only drank a little—just four beers. Now you’re taking my bike; how will I get to work tomorrow?” Such scenes, police say, are not uncommon. Many violators, often laborers or workers from the city’s outskirts, downplay their drinking or claim extenuating circumstances, yet the law is unwavering.
“I was just tired from a long day moving dirt and sand, so I bought a beer from a roadside stall,” one violator reportedly explained to officers, insisting he had only consumed a single can. Another, around 60 years old, admitted, “I had half a flask of rice wine, just to socialize with friends. I know it’s dangerous, but…” Despite their pleas, officers proceeded with penalties, emphasizing that excuses hold no sway when public safety is on the line.
Some drivers, after being caught and sanctioned, reflected on their actions with remorse. “I’ve learned my lesson,” one said, according to VOH. “Even one can of beer is too much if you’re going to drive.” Others promised not to reoffend, acknowledging that the risks far outweigh any short-term convenience or social pressure.
The campaign’s impact was felt across the city. Breathalyzer checks were conducted not only on motorcyclists but also on car drivers, including those operating passenger and cargo vehicles. The enforcement sweep extended to major thoroughfares like Huỳnh Văn Bánh, Nguyễn Huệ, Nguyễn Văn Cừ, and Quang Trung, with officers from multiple districts collaborating to blanket the city. Interestingly, authorities noted a marked decrease in daytime violations within the inner city, suggesting that increased enforcement and public awareness efforts may be paying off. However, in the outer districts and among manual laborers, violations remained stubbornly high.
Traffic police leadership reiterated their commitment to a “no exceptions, no blind spots” policy. “We will not let any alcohol or drug violation slip through the cracks,” a senior officer from the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department declared. The department has adopted a flexible strategy, combining undercover patrols, fixed-point checks, and high-visibility operations, especially during peak traffic hours. These efforts, officials say, are all part of a larger drive to reduce traffic accidents and protect the lives of city residents.
“For your safety and the safety of everyone around you, never drive after drinking alcohol or beer,” the Traffic Police Department advised in a public statement, echoing recommendations from health authorities and road safety advocates alike. The department’s warnings are not idle: with fines, license suspensions, and even vehicle impoundments on the table, the consequences of drunk driving in Ho Chi Minh City have never been more severe.
Beyond the penalties, the campaign has sparked broader conversations about personal responsibility and community safety. Some drivers cited subjective reasons for their violations—believing their homes were nearby, or succumbing to encouragement from friends. Yet, as the city’s crackdown shows, such rationalizations are no defense against the law. The hope among officials is that, as more drivers are held accountable, attitudes will shift and the streets will become safer for all.
In the end, the message from Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities could not be clearer: when it comes to drunk driving, there are no excuses, no exceptions, and—if the current campaign is any indication—no end in sight to the city’s determination to keep its roads safe.
