Life's rhythm stemming from "bounties of the sea"

A bustling scene at Tac Cau fishing port. Photo: PHAM HIEU

At the Tắc Cậu fishing port in Bình An commune, the early morning was bustling. On the newly docked boat, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hòa and his strong young men quickly transferred baskets of fresh seafood ashore. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he smiled brightly as he said: “The first fishing trip of the year was more successful than expected. Everyone hopes to catch a bountiful haul after Tet. We were lucky to hit a school of fish, and everyone is thrilled about this trip.”

After speaking, he bent down and climbed into the ship's hold, handing baskets of seafood aboard. In this way, the "gifts from the sea" were quickly stacked neatly on the dock. At this point, another team began their work: laborers sorted and weighed the fish; the warehouse owner recorded the transactions and calculated the prices; and traders called trucks to transport the goods for sale. Hundreds of people, divided into many groups, each with their own task, worked rhythmically and decisively, making the morning atmosphere even more bustling. Ms. Le Thi Tham, a small trader busily selecting fish to take to the Rach Gia Central Trade Market for retail sale, shared: "After Tet, there's plenty of fish, and prices are stable, so everyone is happy. This job is hard, but seeing the boats full of fish makes us very happy."

Not only in Tac Cau, but also at An Thoi fishing port in Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, the early morning work is equally bustling. Offshore fishing boats return with a variety of seafood such as fish, squid, crabs, and shellfish… quickly unloaded ashore, ready to supply the market and serve tourists. Mr. Tran Quoc Minh, a resident of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, said: “I have two boats specializing in buying seafood from fishing boats operating in the southwestern sea. This post-Tet trip alone yielded about 15-20 tons.”

According to Minh, after the Lunar New Year in 2026, fishermen hope for a successful first fishing trip of the year, traders hope for good business, and port workers maintain their usual routine. "The sea is quite calm at the beginning of the year, and there are more fish. For those working in the fishing industry, seeing the sea so calm is a cause for celebration," Minh said.

The conversations with the fishermen continued until the sun rose high. Golden sunlight bathed the fishing port, but the pace of work never slowed. Trucks loaded with fish left the dock one after another, carrying the bounty of the sea to all corners of the land. Down at the dock, fishing boats refueled, loaded with ice, ready for their next voyage – a never-ending cycle. According to those working in the trade, the fishing port is not just a place for exchanging goods, but also a repository of life stories and tales of the sea. After each trip, they recounted stories of stormy days, bountiful catches, or nights spent casting nets under a starry sky. Each seemingly simple story held the value of human connection, binding together lives that shared a common rhythm.

However, behind the joy of a bountiful catch at the beginning of the year, many boat owners are still worried about the recent surge in fuel prices, which adds pressure to each fishing trip. For large vessels, fuel costs account for a significant portion of the expenses, so even a slight increase can reduce profits. "Going to sea now isn't just about watching the tides and catching fish, but also about carefully calculating fuel costs. Sometimes we have to go out for longer periods to compensate for the costs, but the risks also increase," Minh shared. Even so, no one is thinking about abandoning the profession. For many, the sea is not only a livelihood but also a traditional family occupation.

Leaving An Thoi fishing port at midday, we could still hear the sound of waves, the voices of people, and the bustling rhythm of work. The boats started their engines and set sail, carrying with them the hope of overcoming difficulties and continuing their journey of making a living on the open sea. Behind us, the fishing port maintained its rhythm of labor, faith, and the people who waited day and night for each other's return.

PHAM HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nhip-song-tu-loc-bien--a479951.html