At Lach Van fishing port (Dien Chau commune), every midday during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), boats line up to return to shore, and fishermen busily unload their seafood. Baskets of glittering silver fish and fresh squid, still reflecting the color of the sea, are quickly transferred ashore. The laughter, chatter, and bargaining of traders create a bustling scene in the days before Tet.
For many fishermen, the last fishing trip of the year is not only economically significant but also marks the end of a year-long journey of labor on the sea. At noon on the 26th day of the Lunar New Year, at Lach Van Fishing Port (Dien Chau commune), fisherman Nguyen Van Long, residing in Hai Chau commune, excitedly reported that his boat's "final" trip of the year departed at 11 PM last night and arrived back at Lach Van port this afternoon. The short trip yielded over 250 kg of fish, squid, and crabs, bringing in approximately 7 million VND. With strong demand for seafood and higher prices than usual during the Tet holiday season, fishermen are making a profit.
According to boat owners, the weather at sea is calm at this time of year, making it easy to go out to sea. Due to the high demand for seafood at the end of the year, the prices of many types of fish, squid, and shrimp remain quite high, so the fishermen are making a profit. "If the catch is good on the last trip of the year, we'll have extra money to prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year) and buy things for our children," one fisherman shared.
Mr. Vo Minh, Head of the Lach Van Fishing Port Management Board, said that most fishermen took their Tet holiday break from the afternoon of the 26th of the lunar month, with only a few fishing boats closing the year later, around noon on the 27th. A unique characteristic of fishermen in the Dien Chau and Hai Chau communes is that they catch and bring their catch ashore immediately in the morning, ensuring freshness and making it popular in the market. As a result, the selling price is about 20-30% higher than usual, allowing fishermen to still make a profit from their last fishing trip of the year.
"After the last fishing trip of the old year, fishermen anchor their boats to rest for Tet (Lunar New Year), spending time reuniting with their families. At the beginning of spring, they will choose an auspicious day to perform the first fishing trip of the year, praying for favorable weather, safe fishing, and a bountiful harvest," Mr. Vo Minh shared.
The joy of the fishermen is multiplied when the boats return to port with holds full of fish. Catches of anchovies, shrimp, squid, crabs, etc., make the last fishing trip of the year profitable. Many boats, after deducting expenses, see each worker earn a significant additional income. This money is used for Tet (Lunar New Year) preparations or saved for the first fishing trip of the spring.
For fishermen in the communes of Quynh Phu, Tan Mai, and Cua Lo, the majority engage in offshore fishing using large-capacity vessels, with each trip typically lasting from 7 to 12 days. In previous years, they would still be out at sea at the end of December, but this year, due to the impact of strong monsoon winds, fishermen have proactively returned to shore earlier.
According to Mr. Ho Anh Son, from the Lach Quen Fishing Port Management Board, about a week ago, fishermen completed their last fishing trip of the year, docked at the port, and took a break for Tet (Lunar New Year). They did not go out to sea again, even though the weather was gradually becoming favorable, because the new year was approaching. "Although they finished their fishing trip earlier than usual, many boats still had a good catch, with a considerable amount of seafood. Thanks to this, fishermen have more income, can proactively cover expenses, and prepare a full Tet celebration for their families," Mr. Ho Anh Son said.
However, not every fishing trip at the end of the year is smooth sailing. Some boats still have low yields and increased costs, resulting in lower-than-expected profits. Despite this, fishermen remain optimistic. For them, the sea is their livelihood, but also a place that tests their willpower and resilience.
As the final fishing trips of the year conclude, fishing villages enter a period of preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year). On the docks and boats, the pace of life slows, giving way to the joy of reunion. Ships are anchored, repaired, and await the first fishing trip of the new year. After many days at sea, fishermen return to their families, bringing with them the salty scent of the ocean and the hope for a new year of favorable weather, safe voyages, and prosperity.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/chuyen-bien-cuoi-nam-trung-dam-ngu-dan-phan-khoi-vi-hai-san-duoc-gia-10323755.html
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