Among the coastal lands once marred by salinity, dryness, and gradual neglect as salt-making faded into the past, Bang La – located in Do Son, Hai Phong – has managed to preserve a special tree: the jujube. This unique variety – a native Vietnamese jujube grafted onto wild or hybrid rootstocks – thrives on former salt fields, is highly resilient, and produces small, sweet-tart fruits. It is considered a distinct indigenous apple of Northern Vietnam.
During a raw material survey in 2020, MầM Distillery recognized the hidden value in this seemingly "non-commercial" fruit. After years of research and experimentation, Eau de Vie de Jujube – a distilled spirit made from Bang La jujube – was born. With its pure, delicate taste, mineral finish, and deep local identity, this spirit stands apart from any other eau de vie in the world.
Rather than competing in the mass market, MầM pursued a “niche path” – aiming for recognition through authenticity, uniqueness, and cultural depth. Eau de Vie de Jujube is the embodiment of that philosophy: unfamiliar yet not strange, gentle yet powerful, simple yet enduring.
At the 2025 Concours International de Lyon – Europe's most prestigious spirits competition, featuring nearly 8,000 samples from over 50 countries and judged blind by more than 1,100 experts – MầM Distillery’s Eau de Vie de Jujube proudly won the Gold Medal. It was the only product from Vietnam and Southeast Asia to receive an award this year.
This is not just a victory for one product – it is a triumph of a philosophy:
Vietnamese spirits deserve a place on the world map – not by imitation, but through fruits grown on Vietnamese soil, crafted with care by dedicated artisans, and driven by an unwavering belief in cultural authenticity.