Overview
The grapes of Ninh Thuan Province are the product of Vietnam's only commercial grape-growing region and are known as a Vietnamese specialty. Annual output is about 30,000 tonnes, and both table grapes (for fresh eating) and wine grapes are produced. Grape growing in a tropical region is rare worldwide, and a unique cultivation system allowing two harvests a year has been established.
Growing regions and areas
Ninh Thuan Province accounts for almost all of Vietnam's grape cultivation. The Ninh Phuoc and Ninh Hai districts in particular are the central producing areas. Ninh Thuan Province is the driest region in Vietnam with the least rainfall, and its semi-arid climate with annual rainfall of 700 to 800 mm suits grape growing. The cultivation area is about 1,200 hectares.
Cultivation methods and harvest season
Making use of the tropical environment, two harvests a year are possible. The first is harvested from April to May, and the second from October to November. Grapes are grown on trellises, and varieties such as Black Queen, the Ninh Tien variety (a local variety), and Red Cardinal are cultivated. Groundwater is used for irrigation, and water management during the dry season is the key to successful cultivation.
Exports and market trends
Ninh Thuan grapes are mainly for the Vietnamese domestic market, shipped to markets in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Export volume is very small, but wine production using the grapes is linked to the region's tourism industry and contributes to regional revitalization. Local wineries such as Van Nam Winery produce high-quality Vietnamese wine.
Connections with Japan
There are no exports of Ninh Thuan grapes to Japan. Awareness in the Japanese market is low, but the uniqueness of tropical grape growing sometimes becomes a talking point among wine lovers and agriculture professionals. As the quality of Vietnamese wine improves, there may be a future possibility of entering the Japanese market.
