After-work drinks in Vietnam: A social ritual or a risky habit?

Editor's note: Doanh's opinion was translated from Vietnamese and edited by Tuoi Tre News for clarity and coherence.

Around 5:00 or 6:00 pm, as city streets light up, it is common to see groups of friends or colleagues heading into beer and drinking establishments across towns and cities.

Laughter fills the air around the tables, while cold beer and simple local snacks are served.

A ‘positive habit’ ? 

For many, it is simply a routine: gather a little, then go home.

But from another perspective, the habit reflects more than just leisure. It can be a response to work pressure and a way to maintain social connections.

For office workers, whether a little or a lot, work often comes with stress. 

Tight deadlines, heavy targets, a constant stream of emails and messages for eight to 12 hours a day can drain not only physical energy but also mental well-being.

Many people therefore head to beer halls as a form of ‘release,’ sharing frustrations with difficult clients, complaints about strict managers, jealousy among colleagues, or simply venting personal fatigue.

I do the same. On stressful days, a few colleagues and I head to a small roadside table. 

Nothing fancy, a few plates of roasted peanuts and fermented pork, yet the conversation flows freely. 

It eases the dryness of the workday numbers and lightens our spirits.

At work, relationships are defined by roles: boss and employee, one department versus another. At the beer hall, those boundaries disappear.

A strict manager can become a witty storyteller. A quiet junior employee can have everyone laughing with tales of daily life. 

Even the usually serious colleague may appear unusually open and friendly.

Through these gatherings, colleagues gain mutual understanding. 

Conflicts can be resolved over a shared drink, a casual story, or a simple gesture. 

These interactions strengthen workplace cooperation and support.

In this sense, beer is more than a beverage. 

It serves as a bridge, turning difficult conversations into open ones, and colleagues into friends, people who share the burdens of work together.

Beer as social glue 

A glass of beer or a drink of liquor is not just alcohol. 

Some see it as a symbol of well-wishing, success, or respect. 

Others view it as a demonstration of solidarity: “Drink with me, and we share together.”

After-work drinks can strengthen community ties, emphasizing connection over individual needs. 

They can also expand professional networks, as business deals and partnerships are often discussed over drinks, and provide a space to relieve stress.

Risks of overuse 

Yet the habit can also become a social problem. 

Excessive drinking can harm health, strain finances, and lead to accidents, violence, or even family breakdowns. 

Some argue that beer culture is being abused, with gatherings turning into drinking contests that produce negative consequences.

The key question is how to keep after-work drinking cultural, not destructive.

I do not deny that overindulgence leaves me exhausted the next day.

But other times, sitting together makes colleagues feel closer, and work seems lighter.

Drinking is not inherently bad; misuse is. 

When done responsibly, it can build bonds. When abused, it becomes a double-edged sword.

Ultimately, after-work drinks reflect personal character: a desire for connection and a place to share and be oneself. 

In a civilized society, balance matters: drink in moderation, avoid coercion, and never lose control.