Phu Quoc rose myrtle wine (rượu sim) is a beloved specialty of the island, known for its beautiful purplish-pink color, lightly sweet and mildly tannic taste, and the fragrant aroma of wild sim berries. It is not only a famous local product but also a meaningful gift for travelers visiting the Pearl Island.
Phu Quoc Rose Myrtle Wine – A Must-Try Island Specialty
Among the many local delicacies of Phu Quoc, rose myrtle wine stands out as one of the most iconic. The wine shimmers with a purplish hue similar to red wine, offering a gentle sweetness, a pleasant hint of astringency, and a distinctive fragrance from wild sim berries. Even seasoned wine lovers often find themselves impressed by its unique flavor profile.
The wine is made from wild sim berries, fruit yeast, and 29-degree rice wine. Only fully ripe berries are selected, cleaned, crushed, and then fermented with sugar for 40–45 days. The final product reaches an alcohol content of about 12%, clear, aromatic, and smooth.
Phu Quoc has two types of sim: hong sim (pink myrtle) and tieu sim (small myrtle). Among them, hong sim is preferred for winemaking thanks to its strong aroma, higher sugar content, and rich anthocyanin–tannin levels, giving the wine its vibrant color and delightful tannic finish.
Locals say the best sim season falls in the first lunar month, when the berries ripen abundantly in the forest, producing the finest-quality wine.
Is Phu Quoc Sim Wine Good for Your Health?
More than just a souvenir, rose myrtle wine offers various health benefits:
- Aids digestion: Drinking 50–100ml before meals can help improve digestion and reduce bloating, especially when eating seafood.
- Reduces fatigue – improves blood circulation: The wine stimulates blood flow, making it particularly beneficial for older adults.
- Supports cardiovascular health: Its natural compounds help prevent blood vessel blockage.
- Rich in antioxidants: High anthocyanin levels help fight oxidation, aging, inflammation and may reduce cancer risks.
- Helps prevent atherosclerosis: The wine increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels.
Price: 140,000 – 200,000 VND per 600ml bottle – an affordable and popular gift for visitors.
How Phu Quoc Sim Wine Is Made
The wine is crafted using traditional island methods:
Harvesting wild sim berries – mostly hong sim.
Cleaning, selecting, and crushing the berries.
Fermenting with sugar for about one month, depending on each family’s recipe.
Filtering and aging the wine, often in clay jars to enhance aroma and allow the wine to “breathe.”
Bottling, quality checking, and distribution.
The finished wine has a deep pink or purple color, gently sweet flavor, mild tannins, and a fragrant aroma unique to the forests of Phu Quoc.
Cultural Significance of Phu Quoc Sim Wine
Sim wine is more than a specialty—it reflects the cultural soul of Phu Quoc islanders. When sim season arrives, local families head into the forest to handpick the ripest berries, a tradition passed down for generations. Many households have been producing sim wine for decades, preserving traditional flavors while refining their fermentation techniques.
Today, several local producers offer sim garden tours, allowing visitors to explore the vineyards, observe the winemaking process, and enjoy tastings. These experiences have become a memorable highlight of Phu Quoc tourism.
With its stunning color, unique flavor, and health benefits, Phu Quoc rose myrtle wine has become a must-buy souvenir for travelers. When you visit the Pearl Island, don’t forget to taste this aromatic wine and bring home a few bottles as gifts—each drop carrying the essence of Phu Quoc’s pristine forests.
