Ninh Thuan vineyard experience pulls in visitors

Grapes are a highly valued staple crop
 in Ninh Thuan province (Photo: VNA)

Visiting vineyards in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan, the grape capital of the country, has long been an enjoyable experience for visitors to the area.

Ba Moi and Thai An are the two largest vineyards in the province, drawing in the highest number of tourists. The farms allow visitors to experience grape harvesting by hand and to learn about grape cultivation and wine production.

The Ninh Thuan Grape and Wine Festival 2019 is scheduled to take place in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city and six districts in the province from April 26 to May 2.

Within the framework of the event, a number of festive activities will be held, including field trips to grape and apple farms, an industry-trade fair, a contest for ethnic minority groups in the province, a performance of Raglai’s “Bo ma” (farewell to the dead) ceremony, a street festival, and a beach sports festival.

Grapes are a highly valued staple crop in Ninh Thuan, which were first introduced to the province in 1960 and test-planted by the South-Central Centre for Agricultural Technical Research based in Ninh Son district. Commercial production began in the 1980s.

Ninh Thuan is now home to over 1,200 ha of grapes and nearly 200 facilities processing grape products such as wine, jam, and honey.

Grapes make up about 20 percent of the total production value of the local cultivation sector, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In 2012, Ninh Thuan’s grape varieties were granted geographical indication (GI) certification by the National Office of Intellectual Property.

In early 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s plant cultivation department recognised Ninh Thuan province’s NH01-152 as a new grape variety and allowed the province to grow it on a trial basis before beginning commercial cultivation.
Source: VNA