<span>FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTENTION TO USE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AMONG STUDENTS IN HO CHI MINH CITY</span>

Aims: To determine the factors affecting the intention to use alcoholic beverages of students in Ho Chi Minh City, thereby providing a basis for intervention programs to reduce this behavior. Methods: Using qualitative methods through expert interviews and quantitative methods through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and linear regression, the study collected data from 252 students from universities and colleges in the city using the convenience sampling method. Results: There were four main factors affecting the intention to use alcoholic beverages: attitude about the benefits of using alcoholic beverages, social environment, attitude about the harms of alcoholic beverages, and availability of alcoholic beverages. Of which, attitude about the benefits of alcoholic beverages had the strongest influence (β = 0.371). Conclusion: The study recommends strengthening supervision, management, social activities and psychological support to reduce students' intention to use alcoholic beverages, contributing to raising awareness and limiting negative consequences.