Why a fish sauce factory belongs on a Phu Quoc itinerary
Fish sauce making on this island stretches back more than 200 years, and a visit to a Phu Quoc fish sauce factory shows how that craft still works today. In 2021 the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised it as national intangible cultural heritage.
Good to know
The recipe is short: long-jaw anchovies, called ca com, and Ba Ria sea salt, in a ratio of about 3 parts fish to 1 part salt. There are no preservatives or additives. The fish are salted on the boat as soon as they are caught, then fermented in large wooden vats.
Conclusion
Minh hoạ: phu quoc fish sauce factory
Over 100 factories operate on the island, and about 85 welcome visitors. The sauce also holds EU Protected Designation of Origin status, meaning sauce must be made on the island with traditional methods and local ingredients to carry the name in European markets. A tour takes under an hour and adds a cultural layer to a beach holiday. Further reading: an overview of a Phu Quoc fish sauce workshop.
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