Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Goes Global
Made from fresh anchovies salted and fermented in giant wooden barrels, Phu Quoc fish sauce has grown from a local specialty into an internationally recognized Vietnamese brand.
Nature favors the island waters with abundant anchovies, particularly black and spined ones, the two key ingredients determining the quality of Phu Quoc fish sauce. Right after harvesting, the fish is salted on board to lock in freshness before being transferred into large wooden barrels for natural fermenting for 12-15 months.
Over months of fermentation, the fish transforms into a nutrient-rich sauce reaching 30 to over 40 degrees of nitrogen. The result is a clear amber liquid with a gentle aroma, a balanced salty bite and a naturally sweet finish that makes Phu Quoc fish sauce popular for more than two centuries.
Today, dozens of traditional fish sauce establishments operate in Duong Dong and An Thoi, preserving the manual fermentation while adopting modern food safety standards. Among them, Thinh Phat One Member Co., Ltd. is a leading brand with nearly 40 years of production.
Director Tran My Thuan said: “Every drop of fish sauce represents patience and trust built from one generation to another. As we modernize bottling lines and adopt quality control standards like HACCP, the core fermentation is strictly traditional.” Thuan noted that the old method combined with advanced technology enables Thinh Phat to expand domestically while gradually entering export markets.
Many fish sauce establishments offer tours to explore the craft where visitors see giant vats, learn the fermenting process and experience the distinctive aroma of Phu Quoc's specialty, making the craft a tourist attraction.
Notably, Phu Quoc fish sauce is Viet nam's first product to receive Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status from the European Union, highlighting its quality and heritage on the global stage. From freshly caught fishes to amber drops are the skills, patience and love for the craft that sustainably promote a Vietnamese brand on the global stage./.
Story: Son Nghia Photos: Le Minh/VNP, Truong Phu Quoc