Observations at the salt fields of Tan Thanh commune in mid-May revealed a bustling and energetic atmosphere of work. Under the intense early summer sun, salt farmers were busy raking the layers of white salt crystals that had formed after many days of heavy sunshine. Sweat beaded on their faces, but everyone was cheerful because this year's salt harvest was bountiful, and the selling price was higher than the same period last year.
According to many salt farmers, the main salt production season usually starts from December of the previous year to the end of March of the lunar calendar each year. However, this year the salt season extended into April of the lunar calendar. As a result, salt production increased, with yields reaching 60 to 80 tons/hectare/month. At this time, the price of salt is 1,100 VND/kg for regular salt and 1,300 VND/kg for salt produced using tarpaulins.
Mr. Tran Trung Sy has nearly 20 years of experience in salt production in Tan Thanh commune. For the past three years, his family has converted their entire 1.3 hectares of land to salt production using the tarpaulin-covered method. According to Mr. Sy, this method not only produces cleaner salt but also shortens the production cycle due to faster water evaporation, resulting in bright white salt crystals free from impurities. This method also improves salt yield and quality, leading to higher prices and easier sales, giving his family great peace of mind.
"Every year, it usually rains around the beginning of March in the lunar calendar, and the salt fields are no longer ready for harvest. But this year, even though it's already April in the lunar calendar, the weather is still hot and sunny, so the salt is still crystallizing and ready for harvest. Thanks to that, the production is stable. With the current salt price fluctuating between 1,200 and 1,300 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, the family's income is gradually improving, bringing in a profit of about tens of millions of VND," Mr. Sy said.
Not far away, Mr. Tran Van Quy, from Tan Thanh commune, is also busy harvesting the last of the season's salt to gather enough goods to sell to traders. Mr. Quy said that salt making is not difficult, but it requires a lot of effort to prepare the fields, build strong embankments, and demands perseverance, diligence, and hard work from the people. To obtain salt crystals, first, seawater must be transferred to soak and sun-dry in ponds, waiting for evaporation before being transferred to salt fields to crystallize. Salt is only harvested during the dry season. Each harvest is spaced 7-8 days apart, continuously for many months. What is special about salt making is that salt farmers only invest once a year. When the rainy season begins, the salt harvest also ends.
Thanh Phong Salt Cooperative is one of the exemplary salt production cooperatives in Tan Thanh commune, Lam Dong province. Starting as a small production group of local salt farmers, the cooperative has gradually developed and now has over 151 member households with more than 22 hectares of salt fields. Thanks to innovative production methods, the application of science and technology, and product distribution linkages, the cooperative has helped people feel secure in their traditional occupation, increase their income, and contribute to local economic development.
Mr. Nguyen The Dong, Deputy Director of Thanh Phong Salt Cooperative, said that this year, at the beginning of the season, the wind was calm and there were many cold spells, so the salt production was not high. However, towards the end of the season, the prolonged hot weather and little unseasonal rain caused the salt to crystallize quickly, resulting in firmer and whiter grains. Furthermore, the extended harvesting period compensated for this, resulting in relatively stable production. As of mid-May 2026, the cooperative's salt production had reached over 2,500 tons.
In particular, this year's anchovy harvest is abundant, leading to increased demand for salt used in fish sauce and food processing, causing salt prices to rise by 200-300 VND/kg compared to last year. Furthermore, salt consumption is also more favorable. After each harvest, traders and buyers come directly to the fields to transport the salt within the province and to Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces in the Mekong Delta.
According to statistics, Tan Thanh commune currently has about 300 households producing salt on an area of over 60 hectares. In recent years, many households in Tan Thanh have boldly switched from producing salt on earthen surfaces to producing salt on tarpaulins. Although the investment cost is higher, the resulting salt is cleaner, more uniform, easier to sell, and yields better economic value.
According to Mr. Diep Minh Tien, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Tan Thanh commune, salt production not only provides income for local people but also contributes to maintaining a traditional livelihood associated with the coastal region. From a traditional occupation, Tan Thanh salt production is gradually shifting to a production-consumption linkage model, aiming to increase its value.
In the coming period, the locality will intensify propaganda and mobilize people to participate in salt production models using new technologies, such as salt production on tarpaulins; and at the same time, participate in building linkage chains of cooperatives to enhance the value of salt. In the long term, the Farmers' Association of Tan Thanh commune will guide and support the salt-producing community to integrate salt production with community tourism development.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province, salt production in the province is currently concentrated mainly in Vinh Hao and Tan Thanh communes. The total area for salt production is nearly 560 hectares; of which, industrial salt production occupies the majority of the area.
Salt production is an industry heavily dependent on weather conditions, directly affected by climate change and market fluctuations. Therefore, salt farmers' incomes remain unstable and do not adequately reflect their labor. This reality shows that the salt industry still faces many difficulties and challenges, requiring appropriate solutions to improve production efficiency, stabilize output, and improve the lives of salt farmers.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/vu-muoi-o-lam-dong-keo-dai-gia-tang-20260518101018207.htm
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