VietNamNet Bridge – Locally made Phu Quoc fish sauce is to get its own trademark, according to the Kien Giang provincial Department of Science and Technology.

Luong Thanh Hai, the department's director, said a trademark request had been submitted to the National Office of Intellectual Property of Viet Nam.

The Association of Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Producers plans to design a unique logo for the sauce, which enterprises and association members will only be able to use if they meet strict standards on production, quality and environmental impact.

Nguyen Thi Tinh, the association's chairwoman, said the move was designed to protect Phu Quoc fish sauce from imitations.

Phu Quoc fish sauce is unique because it is made from anchovies caught off Phu Quoc island, one of the largest islands in the southwestern sea of Viet Nam. The anchovies are then fermented in salt for 12 months, which gives the fish sauce a characteristically rich and nutty flavour.

Phu Quoc fish sauce is highly priced not only in Viet Nam but abroad, particularly in the United States and Europe.

Since 2001, labels on Phu Quoc fish sauce have indicated place of origin but that had afforded little protection from imitations, said Dao Duc Huan, from the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.

"Despite bearing the same appellation of origin, sauces made by different producers still differ in terms of colour, protein content and taste. This lack of consistency has made it easy for imitations to flourish," Tinh said.

Furthermore, Tinh said there were 94 small - or medium-scale fish sauce makers on Phu Quoc Island that have failed to co-operate successfully to protect the authenticity of their products.

About 13 million to 15 million litres of fish sauce is produced annually on Phu Quoc island.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

 

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