Catching fish with nets during the flood season.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai rowed his boat out to the middle of the river to remove the fish.

Amidst that rhythm of life, there are quiet, unassuming yet persistent figures: the elderly who still toil tirelessly on the water, their lives intertwined with silt-soaked fishing nets and cherished memories.

At 60 years old, having spent over 20 years working on the Dau Tieng reservoir, in the upstream area of the Saigon River, specifically the section flowing through Tan Khai commune, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai (originally from Dong Thap province) is now intimately familiar with the waters of this region. When the water level rises, Mr. Hai begins his daily struggle for survival with the bamboo fishing net that has been his companion since his youth. For Mr. Hai, the net is not just a tool for earning a living, but also a close friend. He cherishes this craft as if it were a part of his youthful memories.

Mr. Hai shared: "The job of casting nets is not for the faint-hearted, because it requires health, patience, and a lasting love for the river. Amidst the thick morning mist on Dau Tieng Lake, the net casters have to wake up before the sun sets, row out to the middle of the river, one hand removing the fish, the other hand maintaining balance to prevent the boat from drifting away in the wind."

Each fishing net, measuring over 20 square meters, is placed deep in the lake, requiring careful monitoring of the tides. Mr. Hai can pull the net dozens of times a day, his back aching and his hands sore, but he has never given up. For him, this is both the most arduous and the most relaxing of all fishing professions. It's arduous because he sometimes has to stay up all night watching the tides, but it's relaxing because he doesn't have to work far from home; every morning he gathers the fish and takes them to the market, earning extra money. The net-fishing season is considered the "money-making" season. According to Mr. Hai, the main fish caught during the rainy season are snakehead fish, whitefish, catfish, and pangasius. Catfish weigh around 4-5 fish per kilogram, while pangasius are larger, with his family occasionally catching fish weighing up to ten kilograms. The prices of these fish have been relatively stable lately. Specifically, pangasius costs 30,000 VND/kg, snakehead fish 100,000 VND/kg, and snakehead fish 120,000 VND/kg.

Mr. Hai is not alone; in Tan Khai commune, many other elderly people have dedicated their entire lives to the profession of catching fish with nets. According to the Tan Khai Commune Farmers' Association, there are about 20 households in the commune that make a living from catching fish with nets and seines. These households mainly live in the area along the banks of Dau Tieng Lake. To ensure safe and legal fishing practices, the Commune Farmers' Association, in coordination with village officials, educates people on the importance of complying with legal regulations when fishing. Actions that destroy aquatic resources, aquatic ecosystems, and breeding grounds are strictly prohibited.

Life will become more modern, and the fishing nets will gradually disappear with time. But somewhere in the heart of Dau Tieng Lake, amidst the murky, silt-laden waters, there are still elderly people persistently pulling their nets, as if they are anchoring a part of the soul of their homeland, the soul of its people, with all their simplicity, perseverance, and love.

Hien Luong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/cat-vo-ca-mua-nuoc-noi-2d70cad/