Fishing Industry
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.
During the period between July and October, the
fishing season is at its pinnacle in Phan Thiet as fishermen go out to sea.
These boats form a magnificent display of lights at night and can be seen from
shore. In fact, the scene is likened to a floating city by the locals.
