April 15, 2025 | 15:35 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Thursday- 14:07, 29/10/2020

Traditional producers establish the Vietnam Fish Sauce Association

The Vietnam Traditional Fish Sauce Association was officially launched in Hanoi on October 27, uniting the traditional fish sauce manufacturers in the face of harsh competition from industrial “dipping sauce”
Traditional fish sauce products are displayed at the launching ceremony. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Traditional fish sauce products are displayed at the launching ceremony. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

The Vietnam Traditional Fish Sauce Association was officially launched in Hanoi on October 27, uniting the traditional fish sauce manufacturers in the face of harsh competition from industrial “dipping sauce”.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said the foundation of the fish sauce association was the joy of tens of millions of families about a traditional and unique culinary product.

Harvard professors have long ago said Vietnam has a competitive edge in agricultural and food products and suggested turning Vietnam into the world’s kitchen, Loc said.

Representative of the association receives the certificate of establishment. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Representative of the association receives the certificate of establishment. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

According to researchers, fish sauce production has been formed and developed over the past 300 years in coastal villages of Vietnam.

Different brewing and distillation recipes will produce different fish sauce whose taste and colour depend greatly on climatic conditions, soil types, fish and salt.

With the same recipe of fermenting anchovies in wooden vats for 9-12 months, the sauce made in the South has a lighter scent than in the North due to more sunshine and less humidity.

The fish sauce market has recently witnessed increasingly fierce competition between traditionally and industrially-made fish sauce. Costly advertisement campaigns of industrial “dipping sauce” on television and newspaper have pushed traditional fish sauce makers into hardship with many families having to quit their business and go bankrupt.

After the defamatory campaign of “traditional fish sauce with arsenic” scandal initiated by the Vietnam Standard and Consumer Association (VINASTAS) in October 17, 2016, traditional fish sauce businesses recognised the need to cooperate to co-exist. They formed the Vietnamese Traditional Fish Sauce Club under the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), which after nearly four years was today’s association.

Though other Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand have their own fish sauce industry, Vietnam still tops the world with production capacity of 170-180 million litres per year with distinctive quality.

However, the traditional sauce accounts for only about 30% of the market share.

Therefore, the foundation of the association with 117 members is a new stride in the history of the Vietnamese traditional fish sauce production. Many members have succeeded in selling products on the giant e-commerce platform Amazon as well as in supermarkets in many countries.

Its existence is not simply for economic purposes but also for cultural motivation which wants to protect a traditional valuable culinary product. 

"Fish sauce is in the blood of each Vietnamese and the taste of the homeland."

Traditional fish sauce consists of only anchovies and salt. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Traditional fish sauce consists of only anchovies and salt. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

VAN

Author: Duong Dinh Tuong. Translated by Huyen Dan. Edited by Tran Doanh.

Vietnam approves of administrative reform at all levels

Vietnam approves of administrative reform at all levels

(VAN) Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has just signed a decision approving the Project to organize administrative units at all levels and build a two-tier local government structure.

Restoring ecosystems and upgrading infrastructure for disaster resilience

Restoring ecosystems and upgrading infrastructure for disaster resilience

(VAN) This is an important goal that the UN-Habitat organization of the United Nations is implementing in Son La, aiming to respond to climate change and reduce disaster risks.

IOM supports Vietnam in developing safe migration models

IOM supports Vietnam in developing safe migration models

(VAN) In the context of increasingly complex climate change, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to supporting Vietnam in developing safe and sustainable migration models.

Trade surplus nears 4.4 billion USD: Agro-forestry-fishery products consolidate global market presence

Trade surplus nears 4.4 billion USD: Agro-forestry-fishery products consolidate global market presence

(VAN) In the second quarter, the whole sector plans to accelerate production and penetrate new, high-potential markets, including the Middle East, Africa, and Halal Islamic Countries.

Xi Jinping: China is ready to boost imports of Vietnamese agri products

Xi Jinping: China is ready to boost imports of Vietnamese agri products

(VAN) On April 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, who is on a two-day state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15.

Q1 agro-forestry-fishery sectors grows 3.74%, highest in years

Q1 agro-forestry-fishery sectors grows 3.74%, highest in years

(VAN) This represents the most significant growth in the first quarter in the past four years. From January to March 2025, the export turnover of AFF products was 15.72 billion USD.

General Secretary To Lam presided over the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping

General Secretary To Lam presided over the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping

(VAN) On April 14, at the Presidential Palace, Vietnam General Secretary To Lam chaired the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, who is on a two-day state visit.

Read more