2 dead, 3 hospitalized after drinking herbal liquor in Vietnam

Last Thursday evening, Nguyen Van Si, 55, hosted a drinking session at his home in Binh Trung Commune with his brother Nguyen Van Hoang, 59, and friends Le Thanh Hong, 55, Nguyen Van Tu, 53, and Tran Van Hanh, 54.

During the gathering, the men drank liquor infused with dischidia major, a wild vine traditionally used in folk remedies.

The liquor had been soaked and stored at home by Si for personal use, according to investigators.

By Friday morning, Hanh, Hong, and Tu began feeling unwell and were taken to Tien Giang General Hospital.

Hanh’s condition worsened and he was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, where he died at 3:00 pm on Saturday.

Later that day, Si also developed breathing difficulties and fatigue. He was taken to the hospital but died the same evening.

On Sunday morning, Hoang reported similar symptoms and was admitted to Tien Giang General Hospital.

The Dong Thap Forensic Center determined that both Si and Hanh died from acute heart failure, respiratory failure, and pulmonary edema.

Samples have been collected for toxicology testing to confirm whether the liquor was the cause.

Authorities have seized one glass jar containing dischidia major-infused liquor and two bottles of liquor infused with lingzhi mushrooms for examination.