Back to the resilient fishing port on the eve of Tet

As Tet approaches, a visit to Sa Ky port reveals that after a month at sea in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, the fishing boats are arriving one after another. The port is bustling with activity, its holds overflowing with seafood.

The boats returned laden with fish - Photo: TM

Sa Ky Port (Binh Chau commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province) is where generations of fishermen from Binh Chau and Ly Son always head straight for Hoang Sa and Truong Sa whenever they set sail. In the days leading up to Tet, listening to stories of the open sea from the fishermen returning from their voyages is truly heartwarming.

With a boat full of fish, the fishermen have a prosperous Lunar New Year.

Waiting at Sa Ky port, we saw the fishing boat QNg 90252 cutting through the waves to dock. Captain Vo Dung (from Binh Chau commune, Binh Son district) saw us as if he had met an old friend, waved and happily said, "This fishing trip is going well."

Throughout his life traversing the high seas, Captain Dung has encountered numerous man-made disasters in the sacred Hoang Sa archipelago of our homeland. On one occasion, he returned with his ship "torn to shreds." Yet, he has never left the two main fishing grounds of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

On this trip, Mr. Dung commanded the ship to fish around the islands in Truong Sa. After more than a month, the ship landed with about 10 tons of various types of fish.

"The weather has been unfavorable lately, making fishing more difficult. Luckily, the crew is experienced, so they've caught a decent amount. Tuna and mackerel fetched the best prices this time."

"Before we even reached the shore, traders were already calling to inquire and sending trucks to weigh and transport the boat so we could sell it in time for Tet," Captain Dung confided.

As a habit he couldn't break, Mr. Dung constantly told us about the islands and the situation at sea. He even recounted "sensitive" issues and the efforts of the country's law enforcement forces to reassure fishermen so they could fish with peace of mind.

After selling all the fish, Captain Dung quickly distributed the money to the fishermen on board, each receiving between 7 and 10 million dong, basically enough for Tet shopping. Saying goodbye to his crew, Captain Dung called out, "Have a happy Tet, guys! We'll be back on the 6th day of Tet!"

As soon as the ship docks, refrigerated trucks are immediately on hand to transfer the fish for sale - Photo: TM

As the year drew to a close, the biting cold wind couldn't dampen the smiles at the harbor. Captain Nguyen Thuong of fishing vessel QNg 90695 also docked his ship. After nearly a month fishing in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, his vessel had a bountiful tuna catch.

Turning over the boat, they found over 30 tons of tuna crammed inside. This experienced fisherman calculated that selling all of this fish would bring in about 650 million VND, and after deducting expenses for the trip, each fisherman would receive 12 million VND.

Mr. Thuong said that in the last days of the year, the waters around the Hoang Sa Islands were "stable, with calm seas and people," making fishing very favorable. Mother Sea was merciful, so they caught several large schools of fish in a row, allowing the boats to return to shore in time for the fishermen to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with their families.

Mr. Thuong hasn't planned a trip out to sea after Tet (Lunar New Year). This year, the ship has been operating continuously, so he plans to let everyone rest longer than usual, returning to sea after the 15th day of the first lunar month. The only thing he's certain of is that he will return to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands to fish.

"There are many waves there, and plenty of fish and shrimp. We just stick to fishing in the country's sovereign waters. I measure everything very carefully, comply with state regulations, and do not cross or encroach upon the waters of other countries," Captain Thuong stated clearly.

With their boats full of fish, fishermen in Quang Ngai have a prosperous Tet holiday - Photo: TM

Fishing boats near the shore also had a big catch, and the whole sea area celebrated the Lunar New Year with joy.

During the year-end and Tet (Lunar New Year) season, purchasing power is stronger than usual. Prices for fish and shrimp are also higher. Currently, flying fish sold at the port range from 50,000 to 80,000 VND/kg; tuna from 80,000 to 120,000 VND/kg; and mackerel from 20,000 to 35,000 VND/kg…

These prices are 15-20% higher than usual. This further encourages fishermen to stay at sea and go out to fish. Not only offshore fishing vessels, but also those fishing near the shore are experiencing joyful days at the end of the year.

Across the river from Sa Ky port is Tinh Ky fishing port (Tinh Ky commune, Quang Ngai city), where boats that "go out in the evening and return in the morning" are also full of mackerel and anchovies after just one night of fishing with hooks and nets.

Fisherman Huynh Tan Hung (from Tinh Ky commune), owner of fishing boat QNg 11195, has had several consecutive successful fishing trips in the last days of the year. For example, this morning, the boat brought back 5 tons of anchovies. After deducting all expenses, each fisherman received 2-3 million VND.

"Every boat has a good catch; anchovies follow schools, and this season, you can spot them easily," fisherman Hung said. The current price of anchovies is 12,000 - 16,000 VND/kg, which is lower than other types of fish, but the big catch compensates for that and provides a high income.

Women who sort and load fish onto trucks also earn a high income during the end-of-year period - Photo: TM

Joy spreads, not only bringing happiness to boat owners, captains, and fishermen, but also filling the women who make a living at the port on the last day of the year with smiles. With abundant fish, the women work continuously, and their income is therefore higher than usual.

Ms. Phuoc, who has spent her entire life working at the port sorting fish, beamed with joy as she spoke about the end of the year. Her husband, also a fisherman, returned from the sea four days ago. With a stable income, he has been buying groceries and flowers for Tet decorations for her.

Ms. Phuoc, however, remains at the port because ships arrive continuously. "At the end of the year, working at the port earns me 450,000 - 500,000 VND per day. So, not only me but many other women try their best to work. On the evening of the 29th of Tet, I will take a break, go home to prepare the ancestral offerings and celebrate Tet with my family," Ms. Phuoc shared.

At Sa Ky seaport, resilient fishermen are returning home one by one to celebrate Tet with their families; they will return to the open sea after Tet - Photo: TM

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, chairman of the Binh Chau Commune Fishermen's Union, is like a "village leader." Having been closely associated with fishermen for many years, he is always one of the first to receive information about any incidents at sea. Therefore, hearing fishermen report successful fishing trips brings him immense happiness.

"Every boat had a good catch, so it's a joyful Tet holiday. At this rate, the annual fishing festival will be very exciting. What makes me happiest is that the sea is calm, there have been no incidents, and the fishermen can fish with peace of mind," Mr. Hung said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ve-cang-ca-kien-cuong-ngay-giap-tet-20250128131930981.htm