During the flood season in Dong Thap, the fields are covered in red silt, yielding abundant produce, while the rural markets are overflowing with freshwater fish.

When floodwaters arrive and the rice fields are submerged, the fish markets in the border areas of Dong Thap province become more vibrant than ever.

A corner of the Thuong Phuoc freshwater fish market in Hong Ngu district, Dong Thap province, in the early morning.

Around 6:30 a.m., Thuong Phuoc market – one of the largest freshwater fish markets in the border district of Hong Ngu – begins to bustle with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and bargaining between buyers and sellers.

The products sold here are mainly seafood caught by fishermen in the flooded fields of the upstream area of ​​Hong Ngu and surrounding areas.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (born in 1969), a small vendor at Thuong Phuoc market, smiled brightly and enthusiastically introduced her tray of live, wriggling snakehead fish to customers: "Buy some young snakehead fish to braise in a light sauce, madam. Early season snakehead fish are delicious, guaranteed fresh, if it's not good, you don't pay." Following this sales pitch was a gentle smile, her eyes eagerly awaiting a buyer's offer.

Besides freshwater fish, Thuong Phuoc market in Hong Ngu district (Dong Thap province) also sells many kinds of wild vegetables and snails.

After catching the fish, the local fish and specialty fish are transported by fishermen to border markets in Dong Thap province for sale.

Ms. Hoa said that the flood season is the time that people in the upstream areas look forward to the most, because during this season, shrimp and fish are abundant, trading is more bustling, and therefore income is also better than usual.

On average, Mrs. Hoa sells about 10-12 kg of various types of freshwater fish each day, earning between 80,000 and 150,000 VND per market session. For Mrs. Hoa, this is a decent income that helps her family cover their daily living expenses.

Besides Mrs. Hoa, Thuong Phuoc market has more than 10 small traders specializing in selling freshwater fish and other specialties of the flood season.

The goods sold at Thuong Phuoc market are also diverse, including items such as: snakehead fish, catfish, eel, shrimp, freshwater prawns, snails, field mice... as well as typical flood season vegetables such as: water lilies, water hyacinths, water spinach...

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong (far left) and Ms. Huynh Thi Nga proudly display their freshly caught freshwater fish from their fishing nets.

Many small traders said that the floodwaters arrived later this year than usual, so there aren't as many fish as in the same period in previous years.

Therefore, many types of fish have seen a slight price increase of about 10,000 - 15,000 VND/kg compared to the same period in previous years. Specifically, eel is 250,000 VND/kg; catfish and tilapia are about 150,000 VND/kg, shrimp are 150,000 VND/kg; snails are priced from 60,000 - 80,000 VND/kg; field mice are about 100,000 - 110,000 VND/kg. As for snakehead fish, this year's catch is higher than in the same period in previous years, so the price is also "softer," only from 100,000 - 120,000 VND/kg (cleaned)...

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong, residing in Thuong Phuoc 1 commune (Hong Ngu district, Dong Thap province), shared: “This year the floodwaters came late, so there are fewer fish than in previous years. Every morning, my husband and I go to the fields early. The feeling of pulling up the nets and seeing the small fish jumping around is very joyful. Although it's hard work, every time we bring the fish to the market to sell, seeing the customers buying in large numbers fills our hearts with warmth.”

Early-season mudfish in the border markets of Hong Ngu district, Dong Thap province, are priced at around 220,000 - 250,000 VND/kg.

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, a native of the Mekong Delta, has traveled through many regions, but Thuong Phuoc fish market has always been a familiar stop for her.

Ms. Thuy shared: “Every time my barge passes by here, I anchor it to go to Thuong Phuoc market to buy freshwater fish and vegetables to cook for my family. My family really likes braised snakehead fish and snakehead fish sour soup with water hyacinth flowers. Every time I cook these dishes, the whole family enjoys them. The feeling of personally preparing these rustic dishes from the freshest ingredients is truly wonderful.”

The freshwater fish market is not simply a place for buying and selling, but also holds stories about the livelihoods of people in the upstream region, carrying cultural values ​​closely associated with the people of the Mekong Delta...

Source: https://danviet.vn/mua-nuoc-noi-dong-thap-ngoai-dong-nuoc-do-phu-sa-bat-san-vat-tren-cho-que-la-liet-ca-dong-20241101234205728.htm