The sardine fishing season usually begins in late January, with the peak season coinciding with the time when kapok flowers bloom red along the riverbanks. The fishing season lasts about two months, ending in March of the lunar calendar.
Sardines have found their way into poetry, as writer Nguyen Huy Thiep depicted the "bounty of the river" in his short story "Flow On, River!": a stretch of river in the early morning with a lingering mist, the clanging sound of fishing nets, and the lapping of waves against the boat. To this day, that scene remains present in the sardine fishing lives of local fishermen.
On his old, bamboo-roofed boat, sheltered from the sun and rain, and equipped with traditional fishing gear including nets, Mr. Tran Van Chinh from Nam Sang commune ( Ninh Binh province) says he has been fishing for sardines from early morning until late evening, diligently pursuing his lifelong profession. Despite being 73 years old, he remains quite healthy; each day he earns between 500,000 and 1 million dong, depending on the luck of the fishing trip.
However, he said that despite actively moving his nets to different locations, the amount of sardines this year is less than last year. While in 2025 he could catch about 30 kg per day, now it's only 15-20 kg. With many years of experience working on the river, he believes that weather and climate change is one of the reasons for the decline in fish stocks.
The stretch of the Red River flowing through Pho Hien ward is similar to many other stretches, yet for some reason, it's home to an abundance of sardines. Fishermen from Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces flock here to fish day and night. Normally, the Red River is just the gentle lapping of waves against the boats; now it becomes bustling as the boats dock, ending their sardine fishing trips. The riverbanks also come alive with lively trading, and people transporting ice and fuel onto the boats for the next fishing trip. Life continues in a constant rhythm, following the ebb and flow of the water.
Just as their boat docked at Vu Dien ferry terminal (Pho Hien) at midday, with the sun directly overhead, fisherman Tran Van Dao and his wife from Nam Sang commune quickly scooped up the fresh sardines from the boat's hold, put them in baskets, and brought them ashore to sell to waiting traders. After finishing their work, Mr. Dao took a puff of his pipe and shared about the hardships and the luck involved in sardine fishing. He said, "Sometimes, the person who goes ahead only catches a few kilograms, but the person who comes after catches a whole school of fish weighing up to ten kilograms. Generally, it's more luck than skill, because sardines swim in schools, not individually." Mr. Dao added that, based on his many years of experience, they usually catch more fish when there's an east wind.
Although the sardine season brings higher incomes to fishermen, this profession also carries many risks. According to Mr. Tran Van Dao, there have been numerous cases where fishermen, while casting their nets in the middle of the river, have had their nets severed by large cargo ships, causing losses ranging from several hundred thousand to millions of dong. More dangerously, for small boats using traditional fishing methods, the risk of capsizing, damage to fishing gear, and even loss of life is ever-present when encountering strong winds and large waves.
According to many fishing families, the investment cost for conventional sardine fishing is around 40-50 million VND, including boat construction, engine installation, and net purchase. For larger vessels using electric nets, the cost can reach 400-500 million VND. However, this destructive fishing method using electric nets has been banned and penalized by authorities.
Due to a decrease in sardine production this year, the selling price has increased, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 VND/kg at the dock. After being brought to the market, the fish are sorted; larger fish (about 10 fish/kg) are supplied to restaurants or transported to other provinces and cities; smaller fish are sold to consumers or processed into sardine fish cakes.
Ms. Tran Thi Trang, residing at 4 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street (Pho Hien Ward), who has been buying and processing sardines for many years, said that previously, sardines were usually fried until crispy. However, recognizing consumer demand, she selected large, plump sardines to braise and sell on the market. Her traditional braised sardines are popular and considered a specialty. In addition, the fish are marinated with turmeric, vacuum-packed, and refrigerated for convenient consumption and as gifts. Thanks to this, she sells several hundred kilograms of sardines each season, contributing to her increased income.
From a humble dish enjoyed by riverside residents, sardines have now become a specialty bearing the unique mark of the Pho Hien region. As a naturally occurring fish, sardines are considered quite clean, rich in calcium, and are a popular choice among consumers. Amidst the enduring flow of the Red River, the sardine season not only provides livelihoods but also contributes to preserving the cultural values, labor traditions, and memories of a prosperous rural area.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/ron-rang-mua-danh-bat-loc-song-20260406103529093.htm
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