The craft of making Phu Quoc fish sauce has become an Intangible Cultural Heritage

Phu Quoc fish sauce making profession has just been signed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to be recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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.