The essence of the sea converges in Bac Lieu.

In Bac Lieu, where the sea and sky meet, a meaningful gathering of people who share a love for salt took place. Eleven provinces and cities, representing more than half of the country's salt-producing regions, came together, showcasing the finest aspects of traditional salt-making.

In Bac Lieu, where the sea and sky meet, a meaningful gathering of people who share a love for salt took place. Eleven provinces and cities, representing more than half of the country's salt-producing regions, came together, showcasing the finest aspects of traditional salt-making.

Tourists and locals in Bac Lieu visit and shop for Bac Lieu salt products at the Festival. Photo: HT

The unique characteristics of local and regional salt.

Bac Lieu, along with 10 other provinces and cities, each possesses its own unique character and story about the salt-making industry. The salt fields of Bach Long (Nam Dinh), Tam Dong (Thai Binh), De Gi (Binh Dinh), Tuyet Diem (Phu Yen), Hon Khoi (Khanh Hoa), Dam Vua (Ninh Thuan), Long Dien (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Can Gio ( Ho Chi Minh City), Bao Thanh (Ben Tre), and Tan Thuan (Ca Mau) are like precious gems, adding to the rich tapestry of Vietnam's salt industry.

At the festival, Bac Lieu proudly showcased dozens of unique salt and salt-based spice products, bearing the distinctive mark of this region, to friends both domestically and internationally. Two outstanding "sons" of Bac Lieu: Bac Lieu Salt Joint Stock Company and Dong Hai Salt Joint Stock Company, presented high-quality salt products, ranging from flavorful food salts and unique spice salts to internationally recognized export salts and spa salts for relaxation and body detoxification. In particular, Dong Hai Salt Joint Stock Company introduced three OCOP 3-star salt products, demonstrating the quality and prestige of Bac Lieu salt.

Beyond simply showcasing products, Bac Lieu also recreates models, artifacts, and technical advancements in salt production and processing, along with the heartfelt products of salt farmers and cooperatives. All of this creates a unique salt culture space, deeply rooted in the spirit of Bac Lieu.

The pride of the people of Bac Lieu is further demonstrated by the fact that Bac Lieu salt has been recognized with a geographical indication and many salt products have achieved OCOP 4-star standards. These achievements have helped Bac Lieu enhance the value of its salt, enabling Bac Lieu salt to reach further into domestic and international markets. Refined Bac Lieu salt is now present in demanding markets such as Japan and South Korea, and in most supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide. This shows that Bac Lieu salt has established its brand and secured a certain position in both domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, Ca Mau , a "brother of Bac Lieu," brings many other salt-based products to the National Salt Festival. It's a treasure trove of unique seasonings: crispy puffed salt, rich and flavorful shrimp salt, spicy chili salt, fragrant green chili dipping salt, and vibrant red chili dipping salt. Each type of salt tells a story, offers a flavor, and represents a part of the soul of Ca Mau, carefully preserved and shared with friends near and far by the Ca Mau Salt Cooperative.

Under the skillful hands of young woman Nguyen Thi Lan Huong - Director of Huong Bao Chau Co., Ltd. ( Khanh Hoa commune, U Minh district, Ca Mau province), Ca Mau crab salt was born, carrying within it a story full of passion and love for her homeland. The finished Ca Mau crab salt product is not only a perfect combination of the salty taste of the sea and the delicate sweetness of crab, but also the culmination of the dedication and sleepless nights of a Ca Mau woman. Launched in December 2023, the product has achieved OCOP certification and has the honor of being exported to Japan, bringing pride in its local specialty to international friends.

Bamboo salt - a unique combination of cultural symbols.

The unique soil, geographical location, and remarkable geomorphology have bestowed upon Sa Huynh salt – a land located in the southernmost part of Quang Ngai province – a distinctive flavor, rich in minerals, and with a high degree of crystallization. Sa Huynh salt village is not only a long-standing traditional craft village but also a precious cultural heritage, cherished and preserved. From salt produced using traditional farming methods on naturally mineral-rich soil, Sahu Salt Company Limited has created unique products such as kiln-dried salt, bamboo salt, natural sea salt, and SAHU seasoned salt. Each grain of salt carries the savory taste of the sea, the essence of Sa Huynh's land and sky, and the dedication of the salt makers here.

In the sun-drenched, windswept central region of Vietnam, Quang Binh has written a moving story of bamboo salt, a culmination of passionate collaboration with South Korea. These mineral-rich, highly alkaline bamboo salts, beneficial to health, are not just a product but also a source of pride for the people of this land. The "bamboo salt story" is recounted with passion and emotion by the employees of Bio Korea Vietnam Co., Ltd. They nurtured a dream of creating a healthy product from the readily available resources of their homeland. And so, in 2015, the journey to create bamboo salt began. The salt grains are placed in bamboo tubes, sealed with yellow clay, and then repeatedly fired over a blazing fire. This process not only removes harmful impurities but also adds valuable minerals from the bamboo, creating exquisite bamboo salt. Three-year-old bamboo tubes, with a diameter of 5cm or more, along with pine wood, have become indispensable ingredients in creating this special product. Quang Binh bamboo salt has not only conquered the Korean market but is also gradually asserting its position in the domestic market, carrying with it the quintessential values ​​of its homeland.

This unique bamboo salt product comes from Quang Binh province. Photo: NQ

Nha Trang green chili salt, also known as lime chili salt, is a wonderful symphony of flavors from the Khánh Hòa coastal region. It's a delicate blend of the spicy heat of fresh green chilies, the refreshing sourness of lime, and the intoxicating aroma of lemongrass. Each grain of salt seems to contain the essence of the sea and the land of Khánh Hòa. Just a touch of this green chili salt awakens the flavors of fresh seafood, unleashing an explosion of taste. Furthermore, it's a fantastic accompaniment to grilled meats, or simply used to marinate food, providing unforgettable culinary experiences.

From all corners of the country, businesses and cooperatives have brought unique OCOP products, salt crystals born from the sweat and dedication of salt producers. A diverse and vibrant cultural tapestry is painted, with the brilliant colors of flavorful food salts, unique seasoning salts, export-quality salts reaching international standards, and spa salts for relaxation and body detoxification. Each grain of salt is a story, a flavor, a part of the soul of the homeland.

Nguyen Quoc

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tinh-hoa-tu-bien-ca-hoi-tu-tren-dat-bac-lieu-a42272.html