The three-day event aims to honourthe value of grapes – a specialty of Ninh Thuan and introduce theprovince’s economic and tourism potential, with a hope of luring moreinvestment to the locality.
In his opening speech, Chairmanof the provincial People’s Committee Luu Xuan Vinh said the festival –the first of its kind organised in Ninh Thuan - offers a good chance forfarmers and businesses at home and abroad to show off their productsmade from grapes as well as seek partnership opportunities among them.
Therewill be two seminars during the event, focusing on orientations for thedevelopment of Ninh Thuan grapes and wine, and measures to promotetourism in the central coastal and Central Highland regions.
Aphoto exhibition on the land of Ninh Thuan and an international tradeand tourism fair will be also held together with a sheep contest, acoracle race and art performances.
Ninh Thuan has the largestvineyards in Vietnam, with 2,500 ha mainly in Ninh Phuoc and Ninh Haidistricts and Phan Rang-Thap Cham city. The grape output is between60,000-65,000 tonnes a year.
Ninh Thuan grapes are processed for many kinds of products such as raisins, jelly and wine.
Thelocality has given priority to grape investment and developmentprojects since 1992, including planting, preserving and processingtechniques, while conducting studies on new grape varieties suitablewith the local climate.
As many as 17 Ninh Thuan grape development projects with a total funding of some 15 billion VND were carried out.
OnFebruary 17, 2012, the National Office of Intellectual Property ofVietnam (NOIP) issued Decision No. 194 certifying the geographicalindication of Ninh Thuan grape products, which helps raise the value ofNinh Thuan grapes on the market.-VNA