The International Grapes and Wine Festival 2014 kicked off in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city, the central province of Ninh Thuan on July 17, with the participation of 11 countries over the world, such as France, Italy, the US, and Germany.

The three-day event aims to honour the value of grapes – a specialty of Ninh Thuan and introduce the province’s economic and tourism potential, with a hope of luring more investment to the locality.
In his opening speech, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Luu Xuan Vinh said the festival – the first of its kind organised in Ninh Thuan - offers a good chance for farmers and businesses at home and abroad to show off their products made from grapes as well as seek partnership opportunities among them.

There will be two seminars during the event, focusing on orientations for the development of Ninh Thuan grapes and wine, and measures to promote tourism in the central coastal and Central Highland regions.

A photo exhibition on the land of Ninh Thuan and an international trade and tourism fair will be also held together with a sheep contest, a coracle race and art performances.

Ninh Thuan has the largest vineyards in Vietnam, with 2,500 ha mainly in Ninh Phuoc and Ninh Hai districts and Phan Rang-Thap Cham city. The grape output is between 60,000-65,000 tonnes a year.

Ninh Thuan grapes are processed for many kinds of products such as raisins, jelly and wine.

The locality has given priority to grape investment and development projects since 1992, including planting, preserving and processing techniques, while conducting studies on new grape varieties suitable with the local climate.

As many as 17 Ninh Thuan grape development projects with a total funding of some 15 billion VND were carried out.

On February 17, 2012, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP) issued Decision No. 194 certifying the geographical indication of Ninh Thuan grape products, which helps raise the value of Ninh Thuan grapes on the market.-VNA