Japan’s beer group giants are considering bidding for a share of the state-owned Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage group.

The Nikkei Asian Review reports both Asahi and Kirin may fight for a stake in Vietnamese beer, in an auction next month.

The Vietnamese government currently hold a majority share of Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage and Hanoi Beer Alcohol Beverage, whose products together make up 60% of the country’s market.

As part of an earlier plan, the Vietnamese government aims to sell its entire holdings in beer by the end of 2017.

With a shrinking domestic market, the Japanese Asahi and Kirin are looking at expanding their markets overseas.

– TiVi Tuan-san