Few people may immediately think of wine when it comes to Vietnam. Yet Ninh Thuan province, in the south, is quietly drawing attention from people in agriculture and the food industry as "Vietnam's only wine-producing region."
"Is the quality on the ground really stable?" "export to Japan is it realistic?" Many people surely have such questions. This article explains in detail the history of grape growing in Ninh Thuan province, its climate conditions, its main varieties, and the current state and challenges of its wine industry.
What kind of place is Ninh Thuan province?
Ninh Thuan province lies along the south-central coast of Vietnam, and its provincial capital is Phan Rang. It is about 350 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
The region's defining feature is that it has the driest climate in Vietnam. Annual rainfall is about 700 mm, less than half the national average. While grape growing is difficult in other tropical regions, Ninh Thuan province offers an exceptional environment for it.
This "dry land of miracles" gave rise to Vietnam's only wine-producing region.
The history and spread of grape growing
The history of grape growing in Ninh Thuan province dates back to the French colonial era. It began when the French introduced it on a trial basis in the early 20th century.
Today the growing area within the province reaches about 1,000 hectares and has become a major farm product. The main production areas are around Phan Rang and the inland hill country.
Main varieties grown
The grape varieties grown locally are broadly divided into table grapes and wine grapes.
| Variety | Use | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal | Table grape | Large berries with strong sweetness. The leading variety for the market |
| Red Cardinal | Dual-purpose table and wine grape | A good balance of acidity and sweetness |
| NH 01-48 | Wine grape only | A locally bred variety. Stable sugar levels even in high heat |
| Syrah | Wine grape only | An imported variety. Currently at the trial-cultivation stage |
NH 01-48 is a variety developed by the Ninh Thuan Agricultural Research Institute. It is valued for maintaining stable quality even in hot, humid conditions.
How climate conditions affect the grapes
Within the tropical monsoon climate, Ninh Thuan province belongs to an "arid zone close to a desert climate." There are several reasons this environment works in favor of grape growing.
First, strong sunshine raises the grapes' sugar content. Whereas typical grape regions have 1,800 to 2,200 hours of sunshine a year, Ninh Thuan province has more than 2,800. This difference is a major factor in producing grapes with strong sweetness.
Second, the dry environment keeps pests and diseases in check. The risk of gray mold and downy mildew, which are common in humid regions, is low, allowing pesticide use to be held down.
Furthermore, Ninh Thuan province allows two harvests a year. Whereas ordinary regions harvest once a year, here grapes can be harvested in two cycles, from January to February and from July to August. For farmers this is a major source of income.
Challenges the climate brings
There are challenges too. In the dry season, severe water shortages can occur, so continued investment in irrigation facilities is essential. There are also reports that, owing to recent climate change, the patterns of the rainy and dry seasons have become unstable.
The current state of wineries and the main players
Several wineries are currently operating within the province. A representative one is Lalpir Wine, which runs the Vang Ninh Thuan brand.
The company was founded in the 2000s and has annual output of about 2 million liters. Its lineup of red, white, and rose wines is aimed mainly at the domestic market, and prices are affordable at 200,000 to 500,000 VND a bottle (about 1,000 to 2,500 yen).
Comparison of the main wineries
| Winery name | Year founded | Main markets | Main products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vang Ninh Thuan | 2000s | Domestic market | Red, white, rose |
| Chateau Dalat (partner) | 1999 | Domestic and export | Premium line |
| Local small wineries | Various | Regional only | Handmade wine |
Chateau Dalat is a brand based in Da Lat (Lam Dong province), but it also uses some grapes from Ninh Thuan province. Cooperation between the two provinces is helping to raise the quality of Vietnam's wine industry as a whole.
Ties with the Japanese market and the outlook for exports
Exports of Vietnamese wine to Japan are still small, but interest is gradually rising. Under the Japan-Vietnam EPA, tariff preferences apply to some items, and competitiveness in import costs is beginning to emerge.
The three questions most often raised by food importers are these.
- Quality stability (variation between lots)
- The status of pesticide-residue standards and organic compliance
- Temperature-control arrangements during transport
Among local producers too, awareness of the standards the Japanese market demands is rising, and moves to strengthen quality control are emerging. For people in agriculture and for import buyers, it is one of the production areas to watch going forward.
Summary
As Vietnam's only wine-producing region, Ninh Thuan province is growing steadily through grape cultivation that makes use of its distinctive climate. More than 2,800 hours of sunshine a year, a dry environment, and two harvest cycles a year make this province a special farming area.
Challenges such as water-resource management and consistency of quality remain, but local wineries' efforts are moving forward. Its relationship with the Japanese market may deepen in the future, making it a production area that food importers and people in agriculture cannot afford to overlook.
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