Excited to catch stone crabs.

Hurry

At just after 5 a.m., Minh Nhat (from Thuy Xuan ward) was already on the beach, joining the fishermen in pulling in their nets. Right at the water's edge, blending in with the group of fishermen standing in a line, he gripped the rope tightly, his feet moving rhythmically backward to pull the net ashore.

Anh Nhật recounted: “This is my first time participating in trawling. The work is more strenuous and difficult than I expected. The people pulling the nets have to coordinate regularly and rhythmically, constantly moving their hands and feet for about two hours. Initially, I was quite confused, but after a short time, the fishermen helped me coordinate well so that we could both conserve energy and pull the nets effectively.”

As the net gradually narrowed, the atmosphere became more hurried. Footsteps quickened, and cheers erupted as the rippling water signaled a full catch. A few minutes later, the entire net was pulled close to the shore. When the net was opened, the mackerel, herring, and anchovies thrashed about, their scales glistening in the morning light. While excitedly helping the fishermen unload the fish, Mr. Nhat said, “Even though I had to wake up very early and drive nearly 40km to the Vinh Loc coastal area, I still feel the trip was completely worthwhile. The feeling of pulling a full net ashore with everyone brings a very special and indescribable joy.”

According to Nhat, the experience of pulling in the seine net not only provided a novel feeling but also helped him understand more about the livelihoods of people in coastal areas. "This is not simply a fishing activity, but also a distinctive labor culture of the fishing village. Through this experience, I have come to appreciate even more the hard work of the fishermen and the love they have for the sea," he shared.

Attractive

Beyond just experiencing the dragnet fishing, many young people also follow fishermen wading through the water to cast nets near the shore or walking along rocky embankments to catch crabs in small crevices.

Following the example of fishermen catching rock crabs, Hoang Van Binh (Thuan Hoa ward) nimbly put on gloves, waded through the water, and searched for crabs in the crevices of the rocks right at the foot of the embankment. He said: “At first, I thought it would be simple, but when I actually started searching for crabs, I realized it wasn't easy at all. Crabs usually hide deep in the crevices, and a little carelessness can lead to being pinched or them quickly escaping. Meanwhile, the waves constantly hitting me made moving even more difficult.”

According to Mr. Binh, the most exciting thing was the feeling of personally catching each crab in the early morning sea breeze, surrounded by the sound of waves and the shouts of fishermen. "Every time we caught a crab, everyone cheered excitedly. This was a very different experience compared to the usual excursions I've been on," he said.

Besides crabbing and seine fishing, near-shore net fishing is also very popular. For the simple, honest fishermen, it's simply a way for them to share their daily working life with those who want to learn about and experience the seafaring profession. It is this simplicity and sincerity that makes many tourists and young people fall in love with the fishing village of Vinh Loc.

Mr. Binh further shared: “What impressed me most was the sincerity of the locals. They didn't calculate or charge any fees for the experience. Anyone who wanted to participate could join in and work together. Because of this, I felt incredibly warm and close to them.”

More than just a fun getaway or a change of scenery, trips to fishing villages help many young people better understand the seafaring profession, feel the simple working life of coastal residents, and further appreciate the value of traditional coastal occupations.

Text and photos: MAI HUẾ

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/doi-song/ve-bien-lam-ngu-dan-165580.html