With over 10 years of experience sailing the waters of Vung Ang, Mr. Vo Thanh Tuan (a fisherman from Song Tri ward, Ha Tinh province) is familiar with the rhythm of life at sea. When night falls, he begins a new journey - chasing the shimmering schools of squid far out at sea.
Báo Hà Tĩnh•09/04/2026
My name is Vo Thanh Tuan, I am 30 years old and live in Hamlet 2, Hai Phong Ward, Song Tri Commune, Ha Tinh Province. Having been involved in night squid fishing for over 10 years, for me, the sea is not only a source of livelihood but also an indispensable part of my life. As the sun began to set, I started checking all my fishing gear: fishing lines, hooks, lighting system, engine oil, drinking water, food, life jackets… Everything had to be thoroughly prepared. Around 5:30 PM, I loaded my gear onto the boat, refueled, weighed anchor, and began to leave the shore. This was the ideal time to head out to sea and choose a fishing spot. My familiar fishing grounds are the waters around Vung Ang.
Around 6 PM, I dropped anchor in my usual spot, turned on the lights, and started fishing. Squid fishing relies heavily on light to attract squid. Currently, my boat uses six 500W lights, which is considered quite modern in this fishing village. I combine three methods: jigging, gillnetting, and bait fishing. Each method requires its own technique and experience. Jerking requires quick reflexes; upon sensing the signal, you must jerk decisively to secure the squid. Threading requires skill and dexterity, keeping the line steady so the squid can easily latch on. Bait fishing, on the other hand, demands adjusting the depth and movement of the hook to appear as natural as possible, creating the sensation of real prey to attract squid.
The angler must be able to feel even the slightest movement of the fishing line. Just a slight tremor, or a fleeting tug, can be a signal that a squid has bitten the hook. When I feel the line move slightly, I pull quickly and decisively. If I pull too early, the ink won't stick firmly and will slip. If I pull too slowly, the ink will easily escape. It all depends on my feel and experience accumulated over time. Every time I pulled a squid out of the water and saw how fresh and glistening it was under the light, I always felt a great sense of satisfaction. I regularly cast my line, pulled it up, and then lowered it back down.
When a squid bites the hook, it must be quickly placed in the hold to keep it alive. Around 2 AM, I packed up my fishing gear and sailed to the squid rafts in Vung Ang to supply restaurants. After more than 8 hours at sea, the result was over 4 kg of fresh squid. Upon reaching shore, the squid is immediately bought by traders to maintain its freshness. At a price of around 700,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, I earned 2 million VND tonight.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.
Having worked in this profession for over 10 years, I've become accustomed to the rhythm of "sleeping during the day, working at night." The sea is sometimes calm, sometimes unpredictable. Squid fishing is the same; some days you strike it rich, other days you almost come away empty-handed. Squid fishing is not only a source of income for my family but also my passion. Furthermore, I aspire to contribute to preserving and developing the Vung Ang jumping squid brand, bringing this local specialty closer to tourists.