Currently, many localities nationwide are showing their interest in registering their unique products or their specialties as geographical indications to brand their products and access their consumer markets. The products registered as geographical indications include fruits, aquatic products, rice, fish sauce, shrimp sauce, Hue conical hat, and Nga Son sedge.

The Hong Huong fish sauce-making establishment in Lien Chieu District

Buyers have referred to products by the names of their places of origin. They have always known that goods from certain regions have distinct qualities and characteristics, but formal protection for such products is relatively recent.

A geographical indication, or GI, identifies a good as originating in a specific territory, region or locality where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. GIs help “brand” a product and differentiate it from other products in the market.

Although Da Nang has been famous for some unique products, none of them have been protected by GIs.

Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Ha Bac explained the reason that the registration of GIs is quite complicated. In particular, products protected by GIs are required to feature typical and unique characteristics of a specific locality. Meanwhile, their producers are required to ensure the sufficient supply of their products for a long term period.

Mr Bui Thanh Phu, Director of the Hong Huong Fish Sauce Co Ltd, highlighted the significance of GIs in benefiting local producers to  create their attractive product image, including Nam O fish sauce, as well as promoting their unique products better on domestic and export markets.

Ms Pham Thi Xuan Ly, the owner of a chain of Vita Mart supermarkets which specialise in selling organic food, said currently products registered for GIs are very attractive to buyers because they can identify the origin of the products.

Ms Ly remarked GI protection helps producers increase access to consumer markets, gain a competitive advantage, and reap more profits.