The fishing village celebrates Tet.

Sitting on her porch, cutting up a pile of dried seafood in preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year), Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tham shared that every year, when Tet comes, the fishing village is not ostentatious but serene, filled with the smell of dried fish, the laughter and chatter of relatives reuniting after a long time, and the longing to return home or welcome relatives from their hometowns to Phu Quoc for Tet.

Fishermen in Tran Phu fishing village are taking advantage of their last fishing trips of the year to have a warmer and more joyful Tet holiday. Photo: PHAM HIEU

Originally from Quang Ngai province, Mrs. Tham and her husband settled in Tran Phu fishing village more than 30 years ago, bringing with them the traditional seafaring occupation of the people in the South Central region. Like many other villagers, her husband chose the profession of fishing to support his family, build a house, establish a livelihood, and raise his children. Therefore, the fishing village has become a second home for Mrs. Tham's family.

This year's Tet (Lunar New Year) holds a very special meaning for Mrs. Tham's family. Instead of returning to their hometown as usual, she and her husband are welcoming relatives from Central Vietnam to Phu Quoc Island to celebrate Tet. "My brothers, aunts, and uncles from back there haven't been here in a long time, so this year they all decided to come here to celebrate Tet, it's like a change of scenery," Mrs. Tham said. In their small house overlooking the sea, the tables and chairs have been meticulously cleaned, some cakes and sweets have been prepared, and various kinds of dried fish and squid are being busily prepared...

According to Ms. Tham, in Tran Phu fishing village, Tet is a time when people are both coming and going. Many families take advantage of the opportunity to return to their hometowns to reunite with relatives. Some families welcome relatives from afar, but there are also many families who celebrate Tet quickly so they can go out to sea right during Tet to catch the first fish of the year. "Now Phu Quoc has many flights and many airlines operating, so traveling is very convenient," Ms. Tham said.

Not far from Mrs. Tham's house, Mr. Nguyen Van Loi was busy mending his fishing net, preparing to go out to sea to fish in the afternoon. When asked about his plans for Tet (Lunar New Year) in the special zone, Mr. Loi said that for fishermen, Tet is not only a time for family reunions and rest, but also a time to reflect on a year of working at sea. Mr. Loi said that last year the weather was often unpredictable, and prices fluctuated, but thanks to solidarity and mutual support, the people still managed to persevere. "In this fishing village, everyone knows who is in need, and everyone helps those who require assistance. When Tet comes, that sense of camaraderie becomes even clearer," Mr. Loi said.

According to Mr. Loi, in fishing villages, the preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) usually start later, because in the twelfth lunar month, fish and shrimp are quite abundant, so fishermen take advantage of the opportunity to go out to sea. Many even celebrate Tet early, before New Year's Eve, to go out to sea. As for Mr. Loi's family, every year, he doesn't go out to sea during Tet. Instead, he celebrates New Year's Eve with his family, lighting incense before the ancestral altar and offering gifts to the heavens, the earth, and the sea, praying for a year of favorable weather and successful fishing. Afterwards, the whole family gathers, sharing stories and tales of the sea from previous years.

On the morning of the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), the fishing village woke up later than usual. Adults dressed in new clothes, and children happily exchanged New Year greetings and received lucky money. Simple greetings and wishes carried the hope for a peaceful new year. For Mr. Loi, Tet in Tran Phu fishing village has become an indispensable part of life. "I still remember my old hometown in Quang Ngai, but the place where I live and work, where I've been attached for decades, is also my homeland," Mr. Loi slowly expressed.

Besides families leisurely celebrating Tet, in Tran Phu fishing village, there are also households celebrating Tet early to go out to sea to seek the bounty of the ocean. For them, the sea is not only a means of livelihood but also a place to entrust their hopes for a prosperous new year. From the 28th and 29th of the twelfth lunar month, the Tet atmosphere is already present on the boats, with a few small branches of apricot and peach blossoms tied to the bow, bunches of green bananas, and pairs of banh tet and banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) neatly placed in the cockpit.

The New Year's Eve offering meal was quickly and neatly arranged with braised fish, a pot of sour soup, and a cup of wine, but it was full of reverence... Mr. Le Van Tu said that his family always celebrates Tet early every year. "We make sure to offer prayers to our ancestors first, then on the evening of the 30th, we set sail. Going out to sea early is considered good luck for the new year, hoping for calm seas and a full catch of fish and shrimp," Mr. Tu said. According to Mr. Tu, for fishermen, the first fishing trip of the year is a prayer for a prosperous year ahead.

There were years when the tide was favorable, Tứ's boat and a few of his fellow fishermen would celebrate New Year's Eve right on the sea. Amidst the vast expanse of waves, the moment of midnight unfolded quietly and sacredly. The sound of waves lapping against the sides of the boat blended with the steady hum of the engine, a few incense sticks were lit at the bow, and the fishermen exchanged wishes for a safe and successful voyage...

In December, the sea breeze still carries a salty scent, the waves still gently lap against the boats anchored near the shore, and the spring scene in Tran Phu fishing village unfolds in the morning sun, peaceful and prosperous.

PHAM HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/xom-chai-don-tet-a475170.html