The unique flying fish festival

Following the establishment of a two-tiered local government system, Tam Hai island commune organizes the flying fish festival to preserve its folk culture and contribute to spreading awareness of marine environmental protection within the community.

Grilled flying fish at the festival. Photo: VAN PHIN

Mr. Tran Minh Tap, Head of Thuan An village, Tam Hai island commune, shared that there are about 300 households in the area engaged in catching flying fish, accounting for 70% of the total households in the village. This profession has existed for a long time in the locality and brings significant income to the island commune residents. Each boat has 2 workers and goes out to fish with at least 30 nets, and up to 90 nets. Each fishing season only lasts from February to June of the lunar calendar, with each boat achieving an average revenue of 40-150 million VND.

Not only in Thuan An village (Tam Hai island commune), but also in many other coastal villages in the communes of Nui Thanh, Tam Anh, Tam Xuan, and Quang Phu ward, many fishermen practice flying fish net fishing. Mr. Ho Dinh Van, a fisherman from Tan Phu village, Quang Phu ward, said that there are two types of flying fish fishing: fishing in inshore (reef) waters and in offshore waters, about 10 nautical miles from the shore.

Flying fish at the festival. Photo: VAN PHIN

There are many types of flying fish, such as reef flying fish, shuttle flying fish, jackfruit seed flying fish, yellow-winged flying fish, green flying fish, large flying fish, etc. Flying fish is a nutritious seafood with a delicious flavor and many nutrients. The fish meat is white and tender, with few bones, and can be prepared in many attractive dishes such as grilled flying fish, flying fish stewed with young jackfruit, fried flying fish with turmeric, etc. And for a long time, grilled flying fish has been a famous specialty in Bien Ran, Nui Thanh commune and Bai Ran Ha Loc, Tam Xuan commune.

In 2026, after nearly a year of implementing the two-tiered local government model, the People's Committee of Tam Hai island commune organized a unique event: the Flying Fish Festival in Thuan An village, home to the national scenic spot Ban Than - Hon Mang - Hon Dua and also a locality with a long tradition of flying fish fishing. The festival attracted many fishing boats, local fishermen, and numerous tourists who came to enjoy delicious dishes made from flying fish.

Tam Hai Flying Fish Festival. Photo: VAN PHIN

Mr. Nguyen Tan Hung, Vice Chairman of the Tam Hai Commune People's Committee, said that the flying fish festival holds special significance for the spiritual life and livelihoods of the local people. The festival is organized not only to honor traditional cultural values ​​and express gratitude to the sea for its bounty, but also to promote the image of Tam Hai as a friendly, hardworking, and hospitable land and people. Through this, it contributes to promoting tourism and socio- economic development in the locality.

“Through this unique festival, we hope to preserve and promote the beauty of folk culture, awaken pride in our homeland, and foster a spirit of solidarity within the community. At the same time, we aim to continue this tradition in the future to educate the younger generation about traditional labor practices and the importance of protecting aquatic resources and the marine environment,” Mr. Hung shared.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-ca-chuon-3339132.html