The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnamese 共和社會主義越南) in Southeast Asia with the capital Hanoi covers 331,690 km² and is geographically part of Indochina. It borders China, Laos, Cambodia, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. After French colonial rule, the socialist North Vietnam with its capital Hanoi and the Western-backed South Vietnam with its capital Saigon were formed in 1954. Between 1964 and 1973, the USA failed in the Vietnam War. The two Vietnamese states were reunited in 1976 under communist leadership.
Climate and grape varieties
The climate is hot with extremely high humidity. This leads to almost uninterrupted growth of the vines with harvests possible throughout the year. The vines develop very quickly, with a cutting becoming a fruit-bearing vine within just one year. The Chambourcin variety, which produces the highest yields, copes best with the humidity. Table grapes are mainly produced from the pergola-grown Cardinal variety. Three harvests a year can be achieved through appropriate pruning.
Viticulture
Viticulture was established during colonial rule by French settlers who planted vineyards on the slopes of Mount Ba Vi to the west of Ha Noi at the beginning of the 20th century. With the support of Australian experts, international grape varieties were experimented with. The first Vietnamese viticultural activity was a joint venture with the multinational Allied Domecq. In the early 1990s, the Ninh Thuan winery was founded in the coastal plain near Saigon, but was shut down again in 2002. A local wine comes from Dalat in the mountains of the Central Highlands. At 1,500 metres above sea level, the climate is pleasant and mild all year round.
In 2021, the vineyards covered 1,263 hectares. Fruit wine is produced in large quantities; a major producer is the food company LADOFOODS, which also produces grape wine. However, wine consumption in Vietnam is covered by imported bulk wine. The 1997 ban on advertising of all kinds for alcoholic beverages has curbed the initial enthusiasm for viticulture. The most popular alcoholic beverage is beer.
Map: © Goruma
Flag: Public domain, Link
Coat of arms: from Bùi Trang Chước, Public domain, Link
