Fishermen work tirelessly day and night to prepare goods for the Lunar New Year.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, life in coastal communes and wards such as Sam Son ward, Hoa Loc commune, and Tien Trang commune becomes busier than ever. This is the peak season of the year for grilled fish processing facilities – a traditional dish that is indispensable on the New Year's feast table of many families. In the final days of the year, the fish grills are constantly "burning" from early morning until late at night, as people speed up production, racing against time to meet the increased market demand.

Fishermen in Tien Trang commune grilled fish while livestreaming to introduce their products to customers.

Fresh seafood such as mackerel, tuna, snapper, and scad are purchased directly from fishing boats in the Thanh Hoa sea area. The fish are carefully selected and preserved to maintain their freshness, ready for processing when orders surge in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). In Dien village, Tien Trang commune, Ngo Van Xam's grilled fish business is operating at almost full capacity these days. While he normally grills about 100 kg of fish per day, production increases many times over during Tet.

Larger quantities of fish mean longer working hours, so fishermen must constantly be present by the fire to ensure the fish cooks evenly and meets quality standards. Besides increasing production, grilled fish production facilities also need to proactively secure their raw materials well in advance. According to Mr. Ngo Van Xam, when customer demand is high, prior preparation is a crucial factor.

“As soon as the boats return to shore, I buy the fish immediately. The fish is frozen right away to ensure freshness. Based on customer demand, we sort, process, and ship them to everyone. In addition, we have to work around the clock to keep up with customer orders,” Mr. Xam said.

In Hoa Loc commune, the atmosphere surrounding the preparation of grilled fish is also bustling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, the owner of a long-standing grilled fish production facility in the area, said that the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) is the busiest time of the year.

"Normally, my workshop only needs four workers, but near Tet (Lunar New Year), the workforce has to double to keep up with the production schedule and deliver goods to customers," said Ms. Thuy.

According to her, customer demand at the end of the year is very diverse, ranging from grouper and snapper to many other types of sea fish, but mainly mackerel, priced between 300,000 and 350,000 VND/kg. From early morning until late at night, the crackling sound of charcoal fires blends with the laughter and calls of people working together, creating a vibrant and warm working atmosphere amidst the chilly weather of the year-end. Many families mobilize all members to participate in the production stages, from processing and grilling the fish to packaging the product, all aimed at meeting market demand.

To create delicious, high-quality grilled fish, the production process requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage. From selecting the ingredients and preparing them to grilling and preserving, everything must be done carefully. After being cleaned, the fish is placed on a blazing charcoal grill. The most important aspect of grilling fish is controlling the heat. The chef must constantly monitor the fire, adjusting the charcoal so that the fish cooks evenly, without burning, while still retaining the natural sweetness of the fish meat.

Ms. Tran Thi Hanh, a fisherwoman from Hoa Loc commune, shared: "This season the weather is cold, and standing by the fire continuously causes the skin on our hands and faces to crack. Therefore, we always have to cover ourselves and our faces to reduce the heat radiating from the fire. Although it's hard work, this is one of the biggest business seasons of the year, and everyone works tirelessly."

Not only serving the needs within the province, thanks to its fresh quality and rich, natural flavor, Thanh Hoa grilled fish is also strongly consumed in many provinces and cities nationwide. This product is also sold by fishermen on social media platforms and e-commerce websites.

Besides its economic value, the grilled fish production industry also carries the significance of preserving and promoting the traditional craft of their ancestors. Through each batch of grilled fish, the people of Thanh Hoa's coastal areas not only convey the flavors of the sea but also their pride, love of labor, and hope for a prosperous and peaceful new year. Despite the hard work and busy schedule, in the flickering firelight during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), joy and excitement are still evident on the faces of the fishermen who are working day and night.

Text and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ngu-dan-do-lua-ngay-dem-chuan-bi-hang-phuc-vu-tet-275508.htm