VietNamNet Bridge – A 100 gram box of sturgeon caviar is priced at $100 (more than VND2 million), while 100 grams of high-grade weasel coffee are sold for VND6.4 million.

Luxury goods originating from Vietnam

The black diamond on banquet tables

Originally a species adapted to temperate zones, sturgeons needed four long years to adapt to the conditions in Vietnam.

They now produce one of the most luxurious foods in the world – black caviar. A kilo of sturgeon caviar is worth no less than $1,000. Caviar The Duc has become one of the rare Vietnamese brands renowned the world over.

Sturgeon caviar is so expensive that a customer would rarely has more than two spoonfuls for a meal.

A report claims that world demand can amount to 3,000 tons of sturgeon eggs every year, while total output is just 100 tons. This short supply has prompted Vietnamese farmers to farm sturgeon for eggs.

Vietnamese have learned that sturgeons can grow well at the temperature of 25-27oC and can be raised in hydropower reservoirs with high water capacity and clean water. The fish can spawn after 4-6 years of farming.

Given that Vietnam has a lot of hydropower reservoirs in the northern and central regions and Central Highlands, those locations are ideal for farming sturgeon.

An FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) report released in 2012 revealed that Vietnam is listed as among the 10 biggest farmers and producers in the world of sturgeon

Weasel coffee – the most expensive drink

With selling prices of between VND8-64 million per kilo, weasel coffee is considered the most expensive drink in Vietnam.

It is favored by rich Vietnamese and foreigners.

There are three large weasel coffee producers in Vietnam: Trung Nguyen, Huyen Thoai Nui and Trai Ham.

Trai Ham can only make the amount of products big enough to serve customers who come to its shops.

Meanwhile, Trung Nguyen’s and Huyen Thoai Nui’s products have approached foreign customers all over the world, especially Russian.

The low weasel coffee output is one of the reasons the drink is a luxury, and is unfamiliar to the majority of Vietnamese. Trai Ham produces 200 kilos a year, while Huyen Thoai Nui can make only 120 kilos.

The coffee manufacturers all admit that they are taking a loss with weasel coffee, due to the high production costs.

Marou black chocolate

Made of the finest and most precious cocoa beans, grown in the plateau area between Madagui and Bao Loc in Vietnam, Marou black chocolate has a special flavor and taste.

This is a kind of French styled artisanal product, which has been launched into the market by the two businessmen, Samuel Maruta and Vincent Mouro.

A 100 gram chocolate bar is priced at VND90,000-120,000.

Dat Viet