According to the review, the whole Ngoc Hien district has about 20,000 hectares of crab farming combined with shrimp, most people choose crab as a high-value object in economic development. Currently, crabs are raised in an improved landscape form, raising crabs in 2 stages under the forest canopy with a lot of alluvium to help the crabs grow well and achieve quality. Crabs are raised in a natural environment under the mangrove forest canopy, so the crab meat is delicious, the roe is fatty and the price is high compared to crabs in other regions. Commercial crabs are raised for about 4 months to be harvested, the average weight of crabs is 4-5 crabs/kg.

To harvest crabs, farmers have many ways to catch them, from catching them in squares, setting traps, fishing for them... but the most popular way to catch them in Ngoc Hien district is to set traps. On the 15th and 30th of the lunar month, people put bait in the traps, drop them into the farming squares, wait for a while and then pull the traps to catch crabs. The harvested crabs must have enough roe and firm meat to meet the standards and quality when they reach customers.

Set crab traps, an interesting experience for tourists.

Mr. Le Tan Hiep, Rach Goc B hamlet, Rach Goc town, has been involved in crab farming in this brackish water area for over 40 years, said that there are many types of crabs: bucket crab, y crab, square bib crab, red brick crab. The most delicious crab is the soft shell crab or two-shell crab. Ngoc Hien has high salinity, is close to the sea, and has a lot of alluvium as food for shrimp and crab, so the crab meat is often firm, sweet, and has fatty bricks.

Mr. Hiep added: “The experience of catching crabs with traps is quite interesting. Usually, the traps are most sticky at night. Because at this time, crabs go out to find food more than during the day.”

In addition to harvesting crabs by setting traps, currently tourist attractions and stops in the district also recreate the crab fishing method of the local people, as a unique cultural feature for tourists to explore. Catching crabs by hand is a memorable experience for tourists when coming to Ngoc Hien.

Mr. Le Minh Ty, Tu Ty Tourist Stop, Rach Goc Town, shared: "To serve tourists, the family has prepared fishing rods and fishing areas for tourists to catch crabs."

Along with the experiential activities, visitors can also enjoy crab dishes. Crab is chosen as the main dish on the menu at tourist attractions, rest stops, and restaurants to serve visitors from near and far. Crab can be processed into many different dishes, from simple to sophisticated recipes, but to keep the full flavor, most visitors choose boiled crab. Although rustic, boiled crab is considered one of the most delicious crab dishes, because it retains the natural sweet flavor of crab meat. Enjoy boiled crab with chili salt or salt, pepper and lemon, feel the natural sweetness of crab meat, the fatty taste of crab fat mixed with sour, salty, and spicy flavors to create a unique flavor, eating once and remembering forever.

Ms. Dang Nhan Tu, a tourist from Hanoi , enjoyed boiled crab at Tu Ty restaurant, saying: “I have been to Ngoc Hien district several times, every time I come here I choose boiled crab. The boiled crab here is very delicious, the crab fat is fatty, sweet, the meat is fragrant and delicious. The crab in Ngoc Hien area is the best in Vietnam”.

Boiled crab, a delicious dish chosen by many tourists because it retains its natural flavor.

Also a tourist from Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Huyen said: “This is my first time setting foot on the last land of the S-shaped map. There are many specialties here such as: three-sided crab, crab, shrimp, mudskipper, snails... but the most impressive thing to me is boiled crab. I have enjoyed crab in many different regions of Vietnam, but the best is the crab from Ngoc Hien. Perhaps due to the natural conditions, the coastal soil has a lot of alluvium, so the crab here is very delicious, sweet, and fatty.”

Responding to the first Ca Mau Crab Festival in 2022 in Ca Mau province, Ngoc Hien district promotes attractive and novel experiential tourism activities such as crab fishing, crab trap setting... and making crab dishes for tourists to explore the unique features of the southernmost land of the country. In particular, activities to introduce and promote crabs to tourists are promoted, helping everyone understand more about Ngoc Hien crabs.

In addition, Ngoc Hien district also displays local OCOP products for tourists to visit and buy as gifts for relatives and friends. Ca Mau Crab Festival will bring the image of crabs closer to tourists and gradually build a brand, bringing Ngoc Hien district crabs to the market.

Mr. Tran Hoang Lac, Chairman of Ngoc Hien District People's Committee, said: "In preparation for the first Ca Mau Crab Festival in 2022, Ngoc Hien District directed the district's specialized units and branches to strengthen propaganda and promotion of the image and homeland of the southernmost land of the Fatherland, of specialties and delicious dishes, especially the preparation of dishes from crabs. For tourist destinations, it is necessary to build brands and experience activities associated with the natural conditions of Ngoc Hien land. Prices must be listed in accordance with regulations, creating absolute trust for domestic and foreign tourists. With the Ca Mau crab brand affirmed in the market, increasingly known by many people, ensuring the quality of commercial crabs from harvest to consumption will contribute to developing the brand and reputation of Ca Mau crab in the export market; Ngoc Hien crab will contribute to that success"./.

Hong My - Chi Hieu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/mon-cua-niu-chan-du-khach-a26384.html