1. Discover Vọc Long Tửu: the famous local wine brand of Voc village
1.1. History of formation and development of Vọc Long Tửu.
The art of brewing alcohol in Voc village has a long history, closely associated with the story of the king's sailing ships and merchants traveling down the Ninh Giang river from the 13th century. This very river brought the art of brewing alcohol to Voc village, turning this place into the cradle of the craft alcohol industry in the North. Through many generations, the quintessence of brewing techniques has been carefully preserved by families here, creating a unique characteristic for this land.
Mr. Nguyen Van Su, who has been involved in the profession for three generations, shared that previously, each family in the village made their own Bắc thuốc (Northern medicinal herbs) yeast, a traditional yeast that helped create the characteristic sweet aroma of Voc alcohol. Nowadays, Vọc Long Tửu remains faithful to its precious ancestral values, while gradually combining modern techniques, helping the product become increasingly refined in quality.
1.2. Voc Village Alcohol and the Difference of Vọc Long Tửu
The point that makes Vọc Long Tửu famous lies in its unique yeast formula, blending 36 precious Bắc thuốc (Northern medicinal herbs) such as sâm, quy, truật, thược... The main ingredients are carefully selected "gạo nếp cái hoa vàng" (golden flower glutinous rice) and well water from the village, creating a rich, characteristic aroma that is hard to mistake.
Voc wine yeast is a combination of 36 precious Bac medicinal herbs. (Source: amthuccotruyen)
The production process of Voc Long Tuu goes through many elaborate and meticulous stages. The aging process is extended over many years, helping to completely remove impurities and bring a rich flavor to Voc wine.
1.3. Cultural value and spreading reputation of Voc Long Tuu
Voc Long Tuu is not just a traditional drink but also a symbol of the spirit of solidarity and creativity of Vietnamese craft villages. This wine is praised in many poetic works and honored at national specialty fairs, contributing to affirming its cultural value and position on the Vietnamese culinary map.
Thanks to its superior quality and exquisite design, Voc Long Tuu has won many prestigious awards, and appeared on the international market in countries such as Japan, Germany, France, Russia. The craft of brewing wine not only preserves family traditions but also helps Voc village develop prosperously, contributing an annual income of 22 to 25 billion VND, with a consumption volume of about 2 million liters of wine. This wine has become the pride of the craft village, serving as both a cultural product and an economic driver for the local community.
2. Brand building journey of Voc Long Tuu
2.1. Do Van Long – the person who made Voc Long Tuu a brand
Coming from a long-standing family in the wine-making profession, Mr. Do Van Long has dedicated his life to preserving and developing the quintessence of Voc Long Tuu. With foresight and persistent determination, he boldly expanded production scale but still preserved the traditional manual process passed down by his ancestors.
Mr. Long proactively improved quality control and promoted the product to provinces, contributing to making Voc Long Tuu a renowned brand from a local specialty. These relentless efforts have helped the product be exported to many countries worldwide, affirming the position and value of Voc Long Tuu wine in the international market.
2.2. Brand positioning from local specialty to premium gift
During the development process, Voc Long Tuu has gradually standardized from production to packaging. The brand is registered for protection, each product has a traceability code, and is quality certified for 2025. The packaging design uses traditional ceramic jars and earthenware pots, which helps preserve the traditional flavor while ensuring maximum hygiene and safety.
From a local product, Voc Long Tuu has now become a premium gift item. Every detail, from design to quality, is meticulously cared for, creating trust and satisfaction from consumers across the country.
2.3. Contribution of Voc Long Tuu to the economy of its homeland, Ha Nam
The success of Voc Long Tuu has brought significant positive effects to the local economy. The wine-making craft not only creates sustainable jobs for hundreds of households but also contributes to improving income and living standards for the villagers. Thanks to the development of the craft, Voc village continuously invests in and upgrades infrastructure, while developing modern production facilities to meet modern consumption needs and market trends.
Voc Long Tuu brings positive economic benefits to the locality. (Source: Collected)
In addition, Voc Long Tuu has also become an attractive stopover for tourists. Many tourists, both domestic and international, come here to visit and directly experience the traditional wine-making process. Through this, this specialty not only contributes to enhancing the local cultural value but also promotes the image of Ha Nam to international friends, creating a deep connection between culture, tourism, and economy.
3. Production Process of Voc Long Tuu
Main Ingredients: Glutinous rice and water from Voc village well:
The first factor that creates the special flavor for Voc Long Tuu is the selection of ingredients. Gao nep cai hoa vang (golden flower glutinous rice), with its large, plump, chewy, soft, and fragrant grains, is the main ingredient determining the quality of the wine. This type of rice not only has a delicate flavor but is also very suitable for the fermentation process, helping the wine achieve a gentle sweet aftertaste and retain its long-lasting aroma. Gao nep cai hoa vang, through the skillful hands of the wine makers, creates a smooth, light yet rich wine, providing an unforgettable experience when enjoyed.
Voc Long Tuu is brewed from carefully selected gao nep cai hoa vang glutinous rice. (Source: Thuc Pham Quoc Huy)
Besides, the well water in Lang Voc plays a crucial role in creating the distinctiveness of Voc Long Tuu. Nước giếng ở đây có nguồn gốc từ mạch nước ngầm tự nhiên, không chỉ tinh khiết mà còn mang trong mình những khoáng chất đặc trưng, là yếu tố then chốt giúp tạo nên mùi vị riêng biệt cho rượu.
It is the perfect combination of selected glutinous rice and pure well water that forms the foundation for the unique, irreplaceable flavor of Voc Long Tuu. Its flavor is not only rich and sweet but also possesses a natural, smooth aroma, distinctly different from other liquors on the market.
Traditional liquor brewing technique:
The production process of Voc Long Tuu strictly adheres to and is entirely handmade, with each stage maintaining traditional liquor brewing techniques. The most crucial part of the process is the yeast making stage, using up to 36 precious Northern medicinal herbs. This yeast is the secret that determines the liquor's sweet aroma, making it not only delicious but also safe for health.
Once the fermentation process is complete, the liquor is carefully distilled and aged in a pond to completely remove impurities, while also making the liquor crystal clear and smooth, imparting a characteristic sweetness without any raw alcohol. The long-term aging process also helps the liquor's flavor become soft, gentle, not harsh, and with a lingering aftertaste. Finally, Voc Long Tuu achieves a moderate level, creating a gentle sensation when enjoyed, satisfying even the most discerning connoisseurs.
Inherited secret – Uncopyable flavor:
What creates the uniqueness of Voc Long Tuu are the family secrets passed down only to a few special artisans. The secret of mixing yeast with 36 precious Northern medicinal herbs is always carefully preserved and passed down through generations within the family. The harmony of the local climate, soil, and water source makes this flavor impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Although many places have tried to learn and copy the recipe and production process, no one has been able to create the rich, refined flavor like Voc Long Tuu. This comes not only from the perfect combination of natural ingredients but also from the unique family secrets preserved over generations. This very uniqueness has made Lang Voc the only place capable of producing this special traditional liquor, contributing to affirming the position and cultural value of Voc Long Tuu on the Vietnamese and international culinary map.
4. Tips for choosing and enjoying Voc Long Tuu to its fullest flavor
4.1. Identifying authentic Voc Long Tuu
To ensure you are purchasing authentic Voc Long Tuu, customers should pay attention to the product's characteristic factors. Firstly, the brand name " Voc Long Tuu " must be clearly and accurately written on the packaging, making it easy to identify the genuine product. The product's packaging is always in ceramic flasks or clay jars, unique characteristics of traditional liquor making, and absolutely no plastic or ordinary glass bottles are used.
Voc Long Tuu is usually stored in ceramic jars or earthenware pots. (Source: Voc Village Wine)
Additionally, each authentic bottle of Voc Long Tuu comes with a traceability code and an anti-counterfeit stamp, helping customers verify the authenticity of the product. When purchasing, carefully check the production address on the label, ensuring it is Voc Village, Ha Nam. Genuine wine will have a natural light yellow color, be clear and bright, and have absolutely no sediment or unusual colors. These are signs that help you distinguish quality products and avoid buying fake or substandard goods.
4.2. The Art of Enjoying Voc Village Wine
Voc Long Tuu wine achieves its best flavor when drunk from ceramic or porcelain cups that retain heat well. When pouring the wine, you should be gentle, savoring small sips to fully appreciate the initial spicy warmth, followed by a lingering sweet aftertaste, creating an interesting and unforgettable experience.
Voc Long Tuu is extremely suitable when enjoyed with traditional specialties such as raw pork paste, fermented pork rolls, boiled meat, and braised fish. These dishes not only help to mellow the alcohol but also enhance the wine's characteristic aroma, allowing you to fully appreciate the essence of Voc Long Tuu. Savor each small sip to not miss any wonderful combination between the wine and the food.
4.3. Reputable Places to Buy Voc Long Tuu in 2025
Tourists who want to buy Voc Long Tuu of original quality should visit the large production facilities in Voc Village directly, notably the household of Mr. Do Van Long. Here, visitors can directly observe the production line, learn about the exquisite handicraft process, and chat with the traditional craftspeople to understand more about the family secrets.
Additionally, Voc Long Tuu is currently distributed in reputable specialty stores in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other major cities. When buying online, tourists should choose the official channels of Voc Village or reputable certified agents to ensure the product is genuine.
5. Notes on Using and Storing Voc Long Tuu
5.1. Health Considerations When Enjoying Traditional Wine
Although Voc Long Tuu has been processed safely, it is still necessary to follow some principles to protect health. Each time enjoying, one should not drink too much, especially if you have a history of liver, kidney, or cardiovascular diseases, in which case you should avoid consuming alcohol.
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 18 years old should also not consume alcohol, even in small amounts. When drinking Voc Long Tuu, it is best to consume it with food to reduce its effect on the stomach. After consuming alcohol, absolutely do not drive or operate machinery.
5.2. Best Ways to Store and Preserve the Flavor of Voc Long Tuu
Voc Long Tuu should be stored in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight to maintain its quality. After opening, it should be tightly sealed immediately, avoid placing it near gas stoves or heat-emitting appliances to avoid affecting the wine's quality.
Interestingly, when stored for a long time, Voc Long Tuu becomes more richly aromatic and its aftertaste sweeter. However, avoid shaking vigorously or moving it multiple times, as this can cause sediment in the wine to mix and reduce its quality. If stored properly, the product can maintain its quality for many years, becoming even more perfect with age.
6. Suggested Itinerary for a "Wine Tour" of Voc Village in 2025
6.1. Visiting the Craft Village, Experiencing Traditional Wine Making
The experience trip to Voc Village begins at 8 AM, visitors will have the opportunity to visit long-standing wine-making facilities in Voc Village. During this journey, you will chat with experienced artisans such as Mr. Do Van Long and Mr. Nguyen Van Su, to better understand the history of the craft village and the traditional wine production process.
Visit and learn about the wine-making process of the people of Voc village. (Source: Collected)
The special thing about this trip is that you will witness firsthand the process of making yeast from 36 kinds of Northern traditional medicine and the process of distilling refined liquor. In addition, tourists also have the opportunity to participate in a practical experience, performing simple steps with their own hands such as washing rice, mixing yeast, or bottling liquor, bringing a sense of excitement and closeness to the traditional craft.
In the afternoon, visitors will directly enjoy Voc Long Tuu combined with local traditional dishes, offering a complete culinary and cultural experience of Voc village.
6.2. Combine experiences with Ninh Binh's tourism ecosystem
If you have more time, a 2-3 day itinerary will offer visitors the opportunity to combine visits to Voc Long Tuu with many other famous attractions in Ninh Binh. You can start the trip with Trang An, a tourist area famous for its beautiful natural scenery. Next, don't miss Bai Dinh Pagoda with its sacred and tranquil atmosphere. Especially, Sun World Ha Nam, is only about 20 km from Voc village, is a place where you can enjoy moments of relaxation and entertainment.
Combine visiting Sun World Ha Nam in the journey to explore Voc Village. (Source: Collected)
Additionally, Tam Chuc, Vietnam's largest pagoda with a special spiritual space, will also be an attractive stop on the journey. Rural market sessions are also an interesting point, where you can find local specialties such as Binh Luc shrimp paste, Kien Khe rice paper, Vu Dai braised fish,... as meaningful gifts for friends and relatives.
Voc Long Liquor represents the cultural heritage, creative spirit, and steadfastness of Vietnamese people through generations. Experiencing Voc Village liquor is not just simply about tasting but also a journey to learn about the history and culture of Ha Nam. Don't forget to visit Voc Village in 2025 to fully enjoy this unique traditional flavor!
