A day in Nha Trang Bay

1. A friend, nicknamed Mr. Tien Hai San, from Mo Duc (Quang Ngai) who has lived in Nha Trang for 20 years and knows Nha Trang Bay like the back of his hand, picked us up at the ferry dock, not far from An Vien urban area. The boat numbered 07 Song Hau docked, then suddenly turned around after the captain gave us life jackets and said, "Put these on for your safety." Sitting on the boat, amidst the wind and the sound of the boat engine, a few stories about the floating village of Nha Trang Bay, where there are cages of seafood farmers and tourism services for tourists, were told and lost. But the blue sea and the surrounding mountains in the distance gave the feeling that it was a precious sea and sky that nature had bestowed upon this famous coastal city.

On the boat to the floating village of Nha Trang Bay

Nha Trang, I have been there many times. But for me, almost every time there is a little excitement. Especially when I can touch the salty sea waves with my hands while bending down to the edge of the boat. That water reminds me of the book Soul of the Sea written and published by my close friend, architect Nguyen Ngoc Dung, 2 years ago. In the introduction printed solemnly at the beginning of the book, writer Thu Tran wrote: "Once you come to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa , once you hold the book Soul of the Sea in your hands, with the feelings about the sea, you will love the golden forests and silver seas of our country so much".

So here, our group of friends came, strolled around Nha Trang Bay in the morning sun, eagerly looking and recording the frames. The feeling of vastness and the sea seemed more alive when near and far, a few canoes went back and forth. That feeling, just like what architect Nguyen Ngoc Dung wrote: "Every few weeks, missing the sea, I pack up from Saigon to Nha Trang to relax, visit friends, swim, draw the beautiful scenes of Nha Trang, the people of Nha Trang and the architectural works that blend with nature, pagodas, temples, churches...".

Friends together for a day in Nha Trang Bay

That was probably how we felt a few days ago: Missing the sea!

When the sea was in front of him and all around him, Le Quoc, a groupmate, said that he wished to live here in the future, because of the gentle nature, the mountains and the sea. And most especially, the culinary story with abundant and clean food. A very practical story in the midst of the chaos of vegetables and fish pouring into big cities, many of which are not clean!

2. Then the boat finally docked at Bay Dung floating cage. A "house" floating on the waves, with no shortage of seafood and a view of the vast shore far away. Looking up at the mountain, behind us was the deep bay, pointing down to the depth where we stepped onto the raft, Mr. Tien said "it's 17 meters deep here".

Rafts on Nha Trang Bay

After walking around for a while, about a few dozen rafts were gathered together to raise various types of seafood, including fish, snails, squid, crabs, etc., Hoang Nam, who we jokingly called the "spiritual leader" of the group, had time to leave his bag behind, put on his swimsuit and life jacket and jumped into the water. A friend and I jumped in after him, just like Nam did with his eager, splashing dance. It was the most "satisfying" way I had ever known to "touch" the sea and be embraced by the sea. Imagine, from the gentle currents of the bay, gently pushing me away and then diligently swimming back. It was a way the sea gently embraced... those who missed the sea. Just like a few days ago in Saigon, when Hoang Nam texted that, "there will be a program to swim in the sea at the raft cage, remember to bring your swimsuit", I felt a little excited!

Swimming next to the raft, an interesting experience in deep water

The waves caressed for a while. Our bodies, accustomed to the dusty wind of the city, were already tainted with the salty sea air, so we climbed back onto the raft. And on the table were sea products: steamed milk snails, steamed moon snails; a rather strange type of snail that was delicious to eat with mustard that Nam tentatively named "pure snails". Perhaps it was really clean and a bit crunchy like the name you gave it? Then there was grouper, box fish and oh my gosh, squid, thick and firm. It evoked so many things about a most typical culinary moment of the raft village on Nha Trang Bay. Fresh, attractive but also very special through the hands of those who were very experienced in cooking.

Her breast snail

We drank a few glasses of wine that Mr. Tien served. Looking out at a distant, blurry space, then turning my eyes back to the neighboring cages, I asked about business stories. I just learned that this raft village has about a hundred cage houses. There are also divisions of front, back and alleys like in the city. Looking at the motorboats or canoes weaving their way behind, Kim Huy, a friend in the group, lifted his camera to take a few pictures when the boats transferred fresh water, beer or vegetables from the boats to the cages. I suddenly remembered when Hoang Nam, when he had just stepped up to bathe in fresh water, had told him: "Only three scoops per person, here fresh water must be transported from the mainland...". That somewhat vague instruction, and looking at the weaving boats, I understood more about the unique life of the seafood farmers who do business in cages on the bay. Luckily, during the storm season, the bay is still protected on all sides by mountains, a position that few places have like Nha Trang.

Fresh snails in cages

3. The sky was getting late. The sea was gradually becoming more purple. The waves were also less agitated. A friend named Nghia, a doctor at a large hospital in the inner city, had just joined the group earlier to suggest renting a boat to go squid fishing. This was a "highlight" of the night program on Nha Trang Bay. The rather large boat arrived, we climbed over one by one, not forgetting to bring our guitars and some snacks. Then, the boat circled around once so we could watch the sunset over the bay. The sky and sea gradually darkened with the sound of the engine. Fishing rods were distributed by the captain and the "boat captain". The bait was a tiny mollusk, the fishing line could be thrown more than ten meters away, dragging along the water surface with gentle waves. This night fishing session, we were not very lucky, in the end we only caught one squid. But that's okay, the main thing was experiencing a pleasure on the bay, with the vast sky, water and wind. With the overflowing singing mixed with the guitar in the quiet sea night. Overflowing with emotions. Warm friends.

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We returned to the ferry dock at around 9pm. A day had passed, immersed in Nha Trang Bay, mixed with laughter. It was interesting to note that, even though it was only for a short period of time, each person felt the desire to hold on to their steps with the sea when leaving the boat.

That is probably the story of a day spent in Nha Trang Bay, which we will remember for a long time, because they are still in the frames…

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mot-ngay-o-long-be-vinh-nha-trang-185241116112032771.htm