Springtime colors in the coastal region

When the monsoon winds carry the salty scent from the sea, it's also the time when spring knocks on the doors of every coastal home in Can Tho. From Tran De, Vinh Hai, Vinh Chau ward, Vinh Phuoc ward to Lai Hoa commune, the entire land, where the waves murmur, seems to put on a new coat, vibrant with the colors of spring and imbued with the spirit of a prosperous Tet holiday.

A view of Vinh Chau ward. Photo: THACH PICH

The craft village is bustling.

Visiting the port in Cang Hamlet, Tran De Commune, one can easily sense the bustling atmosphere of the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). Boats and ships continuously dock, their holds overflowing with fresh fish and shrimp. Vehicles move about incessantly, creating a scene that evokes a sense of nostalgia in anyone far from home...
Busy arranging batches of dried seafood on racks to catch the sun, Ms. Nguyen Nhu Y, owner of Thao Nguyen dried seafood production facility in Tran De commune, said: “At this time, our facility is taking advantage of the opportunity to produce dried seafood to serve the market. Towards the end of the year, the prices of some items increase, including dried squid, which has increased by 100,000-200,000 VND/kg. It is predicted that prices will increase even more as Tet approaches. This year, our facility is preparing about 2 tons of dried seafood to supply the market, mainly to regular customers in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces.”

Shallots are also a highly sought-after product during the year-end season. Vinh Chau ward is known as the "shallot capital," and has long been an integral part of the lives of its residents.

Leading reporters on a tour of the purple onion fields being harvested, Mr. Thach Dil, Deputy Director of Samaki Organic Agricultural Products Cooperative, said: “This year's Lunar New Year onion crop is fetching higher prices than in previous years. Due to weather conditions and supply shortages in some localities, farmers' onions are selling at high prices, with traders buying them directly from the fields for 35,000-40,000 VND/kg.”

Another step towards a brighter future.

With each passing spring, the coastal region of Can Tho undergoes another transformation. Fields of purple onions, white radishes, and shrimp ponds stretching along newly opened transportation routes, such as the East-West economic development axis (over 8.3km) or the DT-936 route through Vinh Phuoc ward - Khanh Hoa (over 8.4km, phase I), are vivid evidence of the increasingly flourishing rural landscape.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau, from Wath Pich area, Vinh Phuoc ward, happily shared: “Previously, the DT-936 road was narrow and difficult to travel on. Now, with investment in upgrading and expanding it, the face of the village has changed noticeably. During Tet, everyone feels happy and proud.”

Located about 2km from the Southern Hau River National Highway, the Ho Be coastal and ecological tourist area, home to the Quan Am Dong Hai pagoda in Vinh Hai commune, is becoming a familiar destination for tourists from within and outside Can Tho city during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

After visiting the temple's architectural structures and admiring the pristine sandy beach and sea, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a tourist from Xa Phien commune, Can Tho city, shared: “Standing on the fine sand, the sea breeze is very pleasant. I've heard about Ho Be Lake for a long time, but only now have I had the chance to visit. I didn't expect that during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), so many tourists and locals would come to visit and take pictures; the food here is also fresh and delicious, and reasonably priced.”

Local authorities visited and offered encouragement to the family of Mr. Vuong Mung Hoan, residing in the Bien Duoi area, Vinh Phuoc ward. Photo: THACH PICH

Warm colors

For many families, this spring is more complete because the greatest joy is having a solid home to settle down and build a stable life.

In their brand-new house, still smelling of fresh paint, the family of Mr. Vuong Mung Hoan, of the Hoa ethnic group, from the Bien Duoi area, couldn't hide their emotions. Mrs. Le Thi Hanh (Mr. Hoan's wife) recounted: “Before, our house was dilapidated, and when it rained heavily, everything got soaked. We didn't dare to buy decorations for Tet. Now that we have a sturdy new house, the family feels more secure. This Tet, all our children and grandchildren will be home, making it much more joyful.”

In 2025, implementing the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, the Steering Committee for Housing Construction in Vinh Phuoc Ward mobilized various resources to build 671 houses, achieving 100% of the target, with a total cost of nearly 37 billion VND. According to Mr. Lam Minh Phung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Vinh Phuoc Ward, this is a policy with profound humanitarian significance, which the locality has focused on implementing decisively, contributing to helping people stabilize their lives and confidently celebrate the Lunar New Year.

To make the spring days even more complete, Mr. Nguyen Minh Chi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Chau Ward, said that the ward has and will continue to focus on ensuring security and order, traffic safety, food safety and hygiene, and disease prevention and control, helping people have a peaceful Tet holiday.

Spring here is not boisterous, but profound; amidst the sound of waves and wind are the genuine smiles of the laborers, the harvest of shrimp, onions, and white radishes signaling a year of abundance. From Tran De to Lai Hoa, every small corner along the coast is vibrant with the colors of spring, carrying with it aspirations for renewal, unity, and prosperity.

THACH PICH - LAM TUYEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/sac-xuan-vung-ven-bien-a198876.html