Phu Quoc Island is famous not only for its beautiful scenery but also the traditional fish sauce factory with top quality over the country.
Fish sauce or “nước mắm”, one of the natural products on Phu Quoc, is exported worldwide and is a major contributor to the island's economy. It is also a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine, a dipping sauce which complements most Vietnamese meals to add a saltiness flavor. Phu Quoc’s fish sauce is made by combining anchovies, salt, and water and sometimes the pepper grown on the island and fermented through various stages for six months up to a year.
Then it is drained from big barrels to many small grades and divided into 2 types: high-quality lighter colored sauce and basic cooking sauce; both have the high level of protein. Phu Quoc produces over an incredible 12 million liters of fish sauce each year and has around 85 factories on the island. Coming to Phu Quoc Island, you should visit one of the many factories on the island beside its stunning landscapes.
Phu Quoc fish sauce
Phu Quoc fish sauce is a variety of fish sauce produced on Phu Quoc, a large island in the southwest of Vietnam, in Kien Giang province. It is the name to trust when it comes to Vietnamese fish sauces. Authentic Phu Quoc Fish Sauce is brewed from anchovy and salt in barrels for ten to twelve months; therefore, it has a puce color and light taste. Traditional Phu Quoc fish sauce has been made solely out of fermented anchovies, salt, and water for over 200 years. The waters around the island are rich in seaweed and plankton which provide food for the anchovy population.
Fish Sauce Factory in Phu Quoc Island
There are several fish sauce factories on Phu Quoc Island that are accessible to visitors. They are distributed in Duong Dong town and An Thoi town along the river. When visiting the factory, you will hear a story about the fish sauce production process and have a look at a storage containing large vats from which the sauce flow into smaller one and then plastic containers to the bottling process. Some factories open a shop to sell their products and you can buy the best quality at their showrooms and shops.
Here are some factories you can take a visit:
- Khai Hoan factory (Hung Vuong Street, Duong Dong Town – Tel: 077 3848 555)
- Phung Hung factory (Nguyen Truong To Street, An Thoi Town – Tel: 077 3844 096)
- Hung Thanh factory (Ngo Quyen Street, Duong Dong Town – Tel: 077 384 6124)