| FISH INDUSTRY |
|
Phan Thiet is the largest town in Binh Thuan province with an estimated
population of close to 100,000 people. The town sits on the borders of Ca Ty
river, is 20 Km from the ocean and swells with boats during the fishing
season in the summer months. Fishing is Phan Thiet's largest
industry. According to local statistics, some 100 different varieties of fishes
are caught here with an annual yield of over 70,000 tons. As a result, Phan
Thiet is famous for its Nuoc Mam (fish sauce), a seasoning used in
Vietnamese cuisine.
|
|
Most visitors to Phan Thiet will notice the pungent odor
that is associated with fish sauce production. This is a process where
anchovy-like fishes are caught, cleaned and place in large vats of brine. The
whole concoction is cured over a period of eight months to a year before the
fish by-products are strained and the liquid is then diluted into less
concentrated solutions to be bottled.
|
|
|
Fish sauce from Phan Thiet is available
throughout Vietnam. Today, the annual production of nuoc mam in
Phan Thiet is 16-17 million liters per annum. The salt used in the production
of fish sauce is also a local product of Binh Thuan province.
Although fishing is a big industry in Phan Thiet, it still remains a family
business for many people in the region. While the men are out at sea, women
and children often stay home to support the business by mending nets and
tending to shore related chores.
|
