Seaweed harvesting season in Con Co Island

QTO - Seaweed (also known as agar-agar) thrives in the Con Co Special Economic Zone during the stormy season (approximately from October of the previous year to the end of January of the following lunar year). Despite unfavorable weather and frequent large waves along the coast, this is also the time when local people begin harvesting this type of seaweed, which has high economic and nutritional value.

In the early days of 2026, along the rocky shores and breakwaters around Con Co Island, in areas such as the flagpole, the Tiger Wharf, and house number 12, a large number of local people gathered to harvest seaweed. The sight of people wearing raincoats standing up and sitting down to avoid the relentless waves was characteristic of this arduous work.

Ho Minh Canh, 39, a resident of the Con Co Special Economic Zone, is taking advantage of the breakwater to harvest seaweed to supplement his income. Before harvesting, he prepares baskets, nets, and wears shoes and gloves to ensure safety, prevent slipping, and avoid injuries from sharp rocks and coral. Having lived on Con Co Island for nearly 10 years, Canh says he participates in seaweed harvesting almost every year around the end of the year.

“Many years ago, we only harvested it for our family to eat and give to relatives. But in recent years, many customers have learned about it and placed orders at a fairly high price, so many people go harvesting to sell and earn extra income,” said Mr. Canh. After a day of working along the embankment, Mr. Canh harvested over 7kg of seaweed, which, after processing, could fetch about 1 million VND if sold.

Residents of Con Co Special Economic Zone harvest seaweed along the breakwaters - Photo: D.V.

According to Mr. Canh, if they work diligently, each person can harvest 7-8 kg of seaweed per day, and even with less effort, they can still get 2-3 kg. At the end of this year, fresh seaweed sells for 250-300 thousand VND/kg, which is considered quite high, providing the people of Con Co with an additional source of income despite the current rough seas.

According to Mr. Canh: "At first glance, harvesting seaweed seems easy. However, seaweed harvesters must constantly watch out for waves to avoid being swept away and ensure safety. In the past, many people have narrowly avoided being swept out to sea, so seaweed harvesters must not be careless or overconfident." Taking advantage of her busy schedule, Ms. Tran Thi Quyet, a resident of the Con Co Special Economic Zone, has also been participating in seaweed harvesting in recent days. Due to limited time, Ms. Quyet only harvests about 2-3 kg per day. After harvesting, she processes the seaweed and stores it in the freezer.

“I’ve harvested dozens of kilograms of seaweed so far. Currently, the price is quite high, so if I have a large quantity and customers place orders, I’ll sell it. Otherwise, I’ll store it in the refrigerator to eat gradually as a substitute for vegetables and give it to relatives,” said Ms. Quyet. Not only Mr. Canh and Ms. Quyet, but every seaweed season, dozens of locals and even those working in the Con Co Special Economic Zone take advantage of their free time and work to participate in harvesting. The seaweed harvesting will continue until the end of January next year, so many locals say they will try to harvest more to stock up for sale or use in their daily meals because it is a natural food rich in nutrients, guaranteed clean and safe.

Mr. Pham Thanh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Co Special Economic Zone, said that in the past, seaweed harvesting in the area has mainly been spontaneous and small-scale. Residents on the island and officials from some agencies and units harvest seaweed primarily to improve their meals or to prepare dishes for tourists at restaurants and eateries. In addition, some people sell it to customers who need it. According to Mr. Tuan, seaweed is also considered a unique natural food and a local specialty. Therefore, the local government advises people to ensure safety when harvesting seaweed, and on the other hand, to exploit it rationally, ensuring the regeneration of resources to create sustainable livelihoods in the future.

Duc Viet

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202601/mua-hai-rong-mut-o-con-co-ad818f0/