(TITC) – When speaking of Phu Quoc, travelers often recall its turquoise sea, white sand, golden sunshine, and famous specialties such as fish sauce, pepper, and pearls. Yet, there is another flavor that leaves a lasting impression – Phu Quoc sim wine. More than just a local beverage, sim wine has gradually affirmed its position, becoming a distinctive OCOP product and enriching the list of travel gifts from the “pearl island.”
Distinctive Flavor from Wild Myrtle and a Meticulous Process
The uniqueness of Phu Quoc sim wine begins with its raw material. Wild rose myrtle (sim) grows abundantly on the northern hillsides of the island, ripening from April to July each year. The fruit has a deep purple hue with a sweet yet slightly astringent taste. When naturally fermented, it produces a gentle, mellow, and unmistakable flavor.
For generations, locals have used ripe myrtle fruits to make homemade wine, both for enjoyment and for health benefits. According to folk knowledge, sim wine aids digestion, improves blood circulation, enhances sleep, and brings relaxation. Today, this traditional know-how is combined with modern technology, ensuring high-quality production that meets hygiene and safety standards.
Ripe wild myrtle berries are the main ingredient that creates the distinctive flavor of myrtle wine
To create a fine bottle of sim wine, artisans carefully select ripe, plump fruits, wash them, and ferment them with sugar at the right ratio. After the natural fermentation stage, the liquid is filtered and blended with rice wine or sticky rice wine. The result is a beverage with a beautiful pinkish-purple color, a mildly sweet taste with a hint of tannic sharpness, and a delightful aroma. Many producers have invested in machinery and modern bottling systems, making the products not only tasty but also visually appealing as gifts.
Thanks to its demanding ingredients and meticulous production, Phu Quoc sim wine is more than a drink – it is a cultural symbol of the islanders. Each bottle embodies the harmony of Phu Quoc’s nature, climate, soil, and the creativity and dedication of its people.
A Promising Travel Gift and OCOP Product
Myrtle wine is a nutritious beverage
While traveling in Phu Quoc, visitors can easily find sim wine shops offering a wide variety of options, from small convenient bottles to premium gift sets. Its uniqueness and meaningful value have made sim wine a favored souvenir. By bringing home a bottle, tourists feel as though they are carrying with them a piece of the island’s soul – a fusion of sea, forest, and local culture.
In recent years, many sim wine producers have joined the national “One Commune, One Product – OCOP” program. By improving processes, standardizing quality, and upgrading packaging design, Phu Quoc sim wine has achieved OCOP ratings of 3 to 4 stars. This not only strengthens the brand’s reputation but also opens opportunities to expand into broader markets, serving both domestic tourists and international travelers.
Linking Culture and Tourism
Phu Quoc sim wine is not simply a beverage; it is a cultural and tourism connector. Innovative initiatives are being developed to integrate the product into tourism activities, such as seasonal tours during the “sim harvest,” where visitors can pick fruits, learn how to ferment sim wine, and enjoy culinary experiences paired with the drink. Such activities not only promote the sim wine brand but also offer visitors unique memories while creating sustainable livelihoods for local residents.
With its strong potential, Phu Quoc sim wine is expected to further affirm its standing on Vietnam’s culinary map, becoming a signature travel product tied closely to the island’s image. It is not only a gift with a unique taste but also a cultural symbol and a source of pride for the people of Phu Quoc.
Tourism Information Technology Center
