Tourists visit the fish sauce production area at Khai Hoan fish sauce barrel house on Phu Quoc island. (Photo: Le Huy Hai/VNA) The profession of making fish sauce has existed for over 200 years and has been associated with the cultural life of the people of Phu Quoc island city. On May 27, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 1730/QD-BVHTTDL recognizing the profession of fish sauce making in Phu Quoc, Duong Dong ward, An Thoi ward, Phu Quoc city. Kien Giang province is a national intangible cultural heritage. It can be said that, in the context of difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, this is still a great joy, a motivation for people making fish sauce in Phu Quoc to continue preserving and promoting the quintessence of fish sauce. traditional profession left by his father. Chairman of the Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association, Ho Kim Lien, said that Phu Quoc waters have many types of seaweed and plankton which are the main food source for anchovies, the main raw material for making fish sauce. Therefore, anchovies grow abundantly in this sea. More than 200 years ago, the profession of making fish sauce existed in Phu Quoc, people caught fresh anchovies and salted them right on the ship, before bringing them back to brew in barrels. Incubating anchovies in wooden barrels is a feature of Phu Quoc fish sauce making. Boi Loi is a type of wood used to make fish sauce barrels, which are abundant in Phu Quoc forest. The longer the barrel is left, the stronger the wood, the better the quality of the fish sauce. The barrel has a round cylinder with a wide mouth, made from 55 boards of equal sizes: 2.2m long, 20cm wide, 6cm thick; The diameter of the barrel mouth is about 3.2m, the bottom is about 2.6m. The barrel is strapped with green rattan in the forest. Ms. Ho Kim Lien said that fish sauce production is based on traditional manual methods with the recipe of 3 anchovies + 1 salt. It takes 10-15 months to produce fish sauce. From the first to the last water will be divided into different types of fish sauce, with different protein levels; Depending on the ratio of protein more or less from 20-43 protein, the price of fish sauce is different. Phu Quoc fish sauce has a brown color of cockroach wings with a characteristic flavor of mild aroma, salty taste, and sweet aftertaste. According to Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association, Phu Quoc fish sauce began to thrive and flourish from 1945 to now. Since 1998, with the support of the French Embassy in Hanoi, the Ministry of Fisheries and the province Kien Giang conducting registration dossiers for geographical indications, on June 1, 2001, Phu Quoc fish sauce was the first product to be registered in Vietnam. In July 2013, the European Union (EU) awarded the “Phu Quoc” certificate of origin for Vietnamese fish sauce products in Brussels (Belgium). In August 2013, the Ministry of Industry and Trade handed over this certificate to the representative of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc island district and the Association Phu Quoc fish sauce Since then, Phu Quoc fish sauce products have been protected and developed up to now. Currently, Phu Quoc city has about 100 fish sauce factories, concentrated in Duong Dong and An Thoi wards. The source of raw anchovies is currently limited, from now to 2025, Phu Quoc strives to produce 12 million liters of fish sauce per year on average. Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association was established in October 2000, currently has 53 members. Chairman of Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association Ho Kim Lien said that, in addition to the advantages of being protected by geographical indications, Phu Quoc fish sauce craft villages are always respected by the People’s Committee of Kien Giang province and the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc city. focus on maintaining and developing. Over the years, consumers everywhere have known about the Phu Quoc fish sauce brand, helping to sell more traditional products of the craft village. This is also a tourism products unique in the island city of Phu Quoc, attracting tourists to visit, learn about craft village culture in particular and discover the cultural life of people on Ngoc island. According to Ms. Ho Kim Lien, the difficulty of the current Phu Quoc fish sauce industry is that a part of consumers has not yet identified the genuine Phu Quoc traditional fish sauce, so the price is not stable. Currently, there is no planning for Phu Quoc fish sauce craft village, so the craft village has not been concentrated into a sightseeing place for tourists. To meet the development of craft village , Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association hopes that there should soon be a concentrated craft village planning to stabilize production and business, create a favorable development environment for craft villages; At the same time, there is a gathering place, serving to introduce and promote the traditional fish sauce craft to visitors. Chairman of Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Association Ho Kim Lien said that in the coming time, Phu Quoc fish sauce will focus on developing quality rather than quantity, to continue affirming the quality of the brand. After being recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Phu Quoc fish sauce making continues towards being recognized by UNESCO as a world intangible cultural heritage. . This helps increase the brand value of Phu Quoc fish sauce, contributes to raising the local cultural heritage, and helps promote the image of the beautiful island city of Phu Quoc to international friends.

Barrel house in Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc fish sauce making has existed for a long time, and is a unique feature in the life of the people of Phu Quoc in particular and the life of the people of Kien Giang in general. Phu Quoc fish sauce making profession is associated with the formation and development of Phu Quoc from the time it was a remote island district to the brilliant first island city of Vietnam. In Decision No. 1730/QD-BVHTTDL issued on May 27, 2021, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided: “Included into the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage: Traditional Crafts , Folk knowledge – Making fish sauce in Phu Quoc”. Decision on recognition of national intangible cultural heritage. Although there has been a contraction due to the rapid development of tourism, at present, Phu Quoc still has more than 100 fish sauce production facilities, mainly concentrated in Duong Dong and An Thoi, estimated output on 10 million liters/year. In Phu Quoc, there are families who make fish sauce from father to son and maintain their reputation from generation to generation. Fish sauce production facilities are called barrel houses. Phu Quoc fish sauce is famous for its high protein content, sweet taste, and the aroma of striped anchovy, a specialty only Phu Quoc has. The fishing season for striped anchovies is mainly from July to December every year. When the fish net has just been pulled up, it will be picked up with a racket, removed impurities and washed with sea water, then immediately mixed with salt with the ratio of 3 fish to 1 salt, then taken to the ship’s hold. This way of mixing fresh fish keeps the fish meat from decomposing, fish sauce has the highest protein content, and does not have a bad smell. Honoring the profession of making fish sauce adds to the cultural value of the island city of Phu Quoc. The standard brewing process of Phu Quoc fish sauce is 12 months. After that, the new fish sauce is drawn in order, initially the fish sauce has a protein content of over 30, followed by a long fish sauce with a protein level of over 20. After draining the protein in the chuop, all kinds of sauces. The fish sauce is mixed to have the highest protein content according to the natural method. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep Mai – Deputy Director of Kien Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Phu Quoc fish sauce making is the first national intangible cultural heritage of Kien Giang. In July 2020, Nam O fish sauce craft village in Da Nang was also recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Some areas on the island have local traffic jams because Provincial Road 973 from Duong Dong ward to the north of Phu Quoc island is being upgraded and repaired. This road has a lot of cars flocking to amusement parks on the second day of the holiday. Taking advantage of the multi-day holiday, tourists take children to Phu Quoc to relax and see animals. Photo: Viet Tuong. Around 9am-11am, the rain continued in several waves but still did not stop the flow of people into the semi-wild park in Phu Quoc. Ly Bich Tran (37 years old, living in Hau Giang) and her family of 5 went to Phu Quoc island to relax and took advantage of taking her children to the zoo in the early morning for fear of the hot sun like the previous days. “Yesterday, my wife and I took the cable car to Hon Thom for the kids to play at the water park. However, the sun was too hot for the children to get sick, so they went there to eat and then return. Today when I went to the zoo, I was afraid of the sun like yesterday, but I didn’t expect it to rain,” Tran shared. Because of the occasional rain, visitors to the zoo entrance are not crowded at the same time as the cable car area south of Phu Quoc island. In addition to measuring body temperature and directly spraying disinfectant solution for each person entering the gate, zoo staff constantly remind visitors, recommending everyone to comply with regulations on prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic. Visitors encounter rain when visiting entertainment spots in Ganh Dau commune, Phu Quoc city on the morning of May 1. Photo: Viet Tuong. At noon on the same day, at Bai Dai of Ganh Dau and Hon Thom communes (An Thoi ward) there were many tourists renting canoes to run to the sea to create strong feelings. Exchange with Zing, Director of the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang province Bui Quoc Thai said that this holiday, the unit is forecasting about 80,000 tourists to Phu Quoc. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, some people have canceled their flights. “The tour guests register to go 100 people, there are 20-30 people who do not go. Currently, Phu Quoc is still a safe destination for tourists,” said Thai. Visitors are temperature checked by entertainment staff and instructed to use antiseptic solutions. Photo: Viet Tuong. Reporter Zing Contacting a number of accommodation establishments in Duong Dong, An Thoi and Ganh Dau wards were all told by business owners that about 20% of guests canceled their reservation. However, the rooms that have just been canceled have new guests to register to stay until May 3. “My hotel has over 30 rooms, but guests cancel 2 rooms. This morning, guests have only booked 4 rooms, so canceling their stay will not affect anything, “said Pham Van Sy in Duong Dong ward.

1. What archipelago is Hon Thom in? An Thoi
wealth

Nam Du Belonging to the An Thoi archipelago, south of Phu Quoc, Hon Thom is one of the most attractive destinations of the pearl island. Image: Henriele. 2. What record is Hon Thom cable car recorded by Guinness? The longest single-wire cable car in the world
The largest cable car station in the world

The longest 3-wire cable car in the world With a length of 7,899.9 m, Hon Thom cable car is held Guinness recorded as “World’s longest 3-wire cable car”. Starting from An Thoi station, the cable car journey takes visitors through Hon Dua, Hon Roi and then Hon Thom. Image: Son Tra. 3. Which of the following islands is located in Hon Thom commune, An Thoi? Hon Dua
Hon Khoai

Big Egg Island Hon Dua in Hon Thom commune, An Thoi is characterized by immense coconut trees surrounded by many attractive resort services. This place still retains a wild beauty, less affected by tourism exploitation. Image: Nadyamihajlova. 4. What is another name for Hon Khoai? Giang Huong Island

Independence Hon

Both names above Hon Khoai is located in the Southeast of Ca Mau cape. Hon Khoai is also known with many different names such as Hon Giang Huong, Hon Independence. However, with its shape like a giant potato, people are still familiar with the name Hon Khoai. Image: Ngo Tran Hai An. 5. In what year was Hon Khoai lighthouse built? 1899
1898
1897 Hon Khoai lighthouse was built in 1899, is one of the 6 oldest lighthouses in Vietnam. Hon Khoai lighthouse has a square shape, tower height of 15.7 m, each side 4 m, built on ground with a height of 284 m. Image: Vietnam travel. 6. What bay is Hon Nghe in? Ha Tien
Vinh Hy

Orange line Hon Nghe is a small island on Ha Tien Bay off the coast of Kien Giang. Covered by a green color, long white sand and clear water, Hon Nghe is suitable for those who love traveling to experience. Image: Brownie23jr. 7. In Hon Nghe, which mountain has a giant statue of Buddha? Lau Bell Mountain
Ham Rong mountain
Ham Ninh Mountain Coming to Hon Nghe, you should visit Lau Chuong mountain to admire the giant Buddha statue. The 20 m high statue of Buddha stands majestically, standing in the middle of Lau Chuong mountain. This is an eroded limestone mountain, so it has a beautiful and magnificent shape with a mysterious cave system. Image: Camnhung.

An Thoi port is currently promoting about 17% of its design capacity

Mining right auction

An Thoi Port is a seaport invested by the State with a total cost of 128 billion VND with a design capacity of 280,000 tons of cargo / year, 440,000 passengers / year. At the time the project was put into operation (2012), An Thoi is the main port (main port) and the only port in Phu Quoc that can receive ships of up to 3,000 DWT.

Previously, in January 2014, the Vietnam Maritime Administration gave a consortium of investors, Saigon Transport Services Joint Stock Company – Hiep Phuoc Maritime and Development Investment Joint Stock Company (TRANACO Joint Stock Company – HPI) leases the infrastructure of An Thoi port with the lease period from 2014 to 2043. These two investors have established An Thoi Port Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company to execute the contract with the Department. Vietnam Maritime. However, during the implementation of the Contract, due to a number of reasons from the lessee, the Vietnam Maritime Administration unilaterally terminated the above-mentioned Contract on January 1, 2021.

It should be added that the leasing of maritime infrastructure has been implemented quite effectively by the Ministry of Transport – Transport and the Vietnam Maritime Administration. Since 2004 until now, there have been 4 leases of marine infrastructure invested with state budget funds, with the total rental paid to the state budget up to 1,480 billion VND. .

“The contract no.03 for renting An Thoi port was unilaterally terminated ahead of time because the internal investor consortium had many disagreements, leading to the incorrect payment of rent to the State on time. The operation of An Thoi port in the form of leasing still brings efficiency to the State ”, Mr. Luu Quang Lam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Thoi Seaport Investment and Exploitation Joint Stock Company affirmed.

According to Mr. Nguyen Nhat, Deputy Minister of Transport – Transport, to continue to select the lessee to operate An Thoi port according to the provisions of Decree No. 43/2018 / ND-CP dated March 12, 2018 of the Government, The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Vietnam Maritime Administration (the unit assigned to manage assets) to develop the Scheme.

“Up to now, the Scheme’s dossier has been completed and valid according to regulations. The fact that the Ministry of Transport and Transport consulted the Ministry of Finance – the public property management agency – is to comply with the provisions of Decree No. 43/2018 / ND-CP dated March 12, 2018 of the management, use and exploitation of maritime infrastructure assets, ”said Mr. Nhat.

Potential risks

According to the proposal of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the entire maritime infrastructure of An Thoi port will continue to be leased for about 42 years from the time of signing the lease contract (expected from 2021). by 2063 (according to the time of use of the property).

The starting price for the rental auction of An Thoi port infrastructure is about 195 billion VND, determined by two items: fixed collection price worth 160 billion VND (residual value of the property; service costs annual asset management and exploitation of the lessor; cost of project formulation, auction organization) and the change in price of VND 35 billion, based on the lessee’s revenue from exploiting profit.

Representative of the Vietnam Maritime Administration said that this starting price is close to the developments of An Thoi port in recent times. In fact, after 7 years of leasing, it shows that the output of goods through the port only reached an average of 17% of the design capacity.

The main reason is that goods transported to Phu Quoc Island are mainly construction materials for civil construction works, goods related to people. Because it is located in the southern part of the island, far from projects and works under construction, if the cargo is unloaded at An Thoi port, it will take a long road transport process, but the road is narrow, through the residential market small bridges, bridges, low payloads, not suitable for the transportation of heavy and bulky goods.

“That is not to mention, Phu Quoc currently has many temporary ports and inland waterway ports, scattered near the construction works around the island, with cheap rates, quite convenient for loading and unloading goods. The contractor will definitely have experience and a stable source of goods, ”said the leader of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

An Thoi Port Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company, Phu Quoc Sun Company Limited and some local investors are very interested in participating in leasing the right to operate An Thoi port in the case of the Scheme. approved by competent authorities.