A company based in the central province of Khanh Hoa was recently recognised as the owner of the biggest number of salangane islands and the highest yield of natural salangane nests in Asia.

The Khanh Hoa Salangane Nest Company, founded in 1990, received the certifications in late March in Ho Chi Minh City, the firm said on its website.

It currently manages 32 salangane islands with 169 caves off the coast of Khanh Hoa province, compared to eight islands and 40 caves in the 90s thanks to efforts in scientific research and technical application.

The business has also coordinated with coastal localities from Quang Binh to Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces to develop salangane islands.

Also at the certification presentation ceremony, a salangane nest cooking contest was held, attracting the participation of renowned chefs and more than 1,000 people.

Salangane, a swiftlet species, lives in caves on limestone cliffs and makes its nest from its own saliva.

The nest is a popular but expensive traditional dish which is believed to have good health benefits. It is cooked in soup or steamed with rock sugar. Besides dried nests, Khanh Hoa company now also produces canned products.

VNA