Creating an effective plan for managing and using the geographical indication "Nam O" to promote Nam O fish sauce brand is one of the city’s significant tasks that aim to protect Nam O fish sauce brand by registering it as a trade mark, thereby, contributing to enhancing its brand reputation and improve its value chain, preserving and promoting the traditional craft of making fish sauce in the Nam O Village, Da Nang.

Mr. Bui Thanh Phu, the owner of the Huong Lang fish sauce brand, shared his opinions at an seminar. Photo: VAN HOANG

Situated in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang, the Nam O fish sauce making village is one of a few traditional craft villages that still operate in Da Nang.

In its efforts to preserve and promote traditional craft villages, the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology has implemented a number of measures in line with the Decision No. 3330 which was issued in December 21, 2021 by the Ministry of Science and Technology to approve authorized organizations and individuals, as well as identify timelines to promote Nam O fish sauce products of Da Nang.

Creating an effective plan for managing and using the geographical indication "Nam O" to promote Nam O fish sauce brand aims to build an effective state management system and quality control inspection agencies in an effort to ensure smooth operation of the Nam O fish sauce making village, as well as protect the rights and legal benefits of eligible organizations and individuals to use the geographical indication “Nam O”. This plan is considered as a prerequisite for the city to ensure the quality of Nam O fish sauce products to be sold in the market, as well as prevent unauthorized use of the geographical indication "Nam O".

According to the Centre for Energy Saving and Technology Transfer Consultancy under the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, the Nam O fish sauce will gain customer trust and confidence after being granted protection for its geographical indication. Hence, this will elevate Nam O fish sauce's value, affirm its brand reputation in the market, protect fish sauce manufacturers, reduce the prevalence of counterfeit and low-quality products, and improve competitiveness of Nam O fish sauce against other conventional labeled products.

In addition, member organizations and individuals will have a chance to attend training courses to improve their knowledge and awareness of using the geographical indication on their products. They will be allowed to use logos, labels, and packaging design that meet quality standards while strengthening market control. Support will be provided for them to build partnerships with others to boost production, consumption, create their business channels, and expand domestic consumption.

Furthermore, local authorities will issue regulations and develop a geographical indication management system, contributing to boosting production, promoting sustainable development of Nam O fish sauce products. To achieve these goals, the city needs to issue regulations and rules, as well as develop plans to effectively manage the geographical indication for Nam O fish source products.

Mrs. Le Thi Thuc, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Department of Science and Technology, stated that the Da Nang Energy Saving and Technology Transfer Consultancy Center recently organized a seminar to collect opinions to create a plan for managing and using the geographical indication "Nam O" to promote Nam O fish sauce brand.

She added that the center has developed a set of tools and documents to manage the geographical indication. Included are specific plans for managing and using the geographical indication for Nam O fish sauce products. Heed is paid to introducing regulations for managing and using the geographical indication "Nam O" for Nam O fish sauce products, along with guidelines for use of the geographical indication and labels, logos, packaging design, as well as quality control of Nam O fish sauce which is registered as the geographical indication.

Reporting by VIET AN - Translating by DUY BINH