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| Exciting stone crabs catching |
Bustling
Just after 5 a.m., Minh Nhat (Thuy Xuan Ward) was already on the beach joining local fishermen in pulling in the drag net. Standing right at the water’s edge alongside a line of fishermen, he gripped the rope tightly while rhythmically stepping backward in coordination with the commands to pull the net ashore.
Nhat shared: “This is my first time participating in drag-net fishing. The work is much harder and more exhausting than I imagined. Everyone has to coordinate steadily and rhythmically, constantly moving for nearly two hours. At first, I felt a little bit confused, but after a short while, the fishermen helped me synchronize with the group so I could conserve energy while still pulling the net effectively”.
As the net gradually tightened, the atmosphere became increasingly intense. Steps quickened, and cheers grew louder and more urgent as ripples on the water signaled a large catch. A few minutes later, the entire net was dragged close to shore. When the net was spread open, scads, sardines, and anchovies flopped continuously, their scales glittering under the dawn light. While enthusiastically helping the fishermen remove fish from the net, Nhat said, “Even though I had to wake up very early and ride nearly 40 kilometers to the coastal area of Vinh Loc, I still feel the trip absolutely worthwhile. The feeling of working together to pull in a full net is a very special joy that’s hard to describe”.
According to Nhat, the drag-net experience not only brought him something new and exciting but also helped him better understand the hardships of coastal livelihoods. “This is not simply a fishing activity; it is also a distinctive labor culture of fishing villages. Through this experience, I appreciate even more the hardships fishermen endure and the love they have for the sea,” he shared.
Attractive
Beyond the drag-net activity, many young people also followed fishermen into shallow waters to cast nearshore nets or walked along rocky embankments searching for crabs hidden in crevices. Joining friends to learn crab-catching techniques from local fishermen, Hoang Van Binh from Thuan Hoa Ward quickly put on gloves, waded into the water, and searched through rock crevices along the embankment. “At first, I thought it would be simple, but once I actually tried catching crabs, I realized it wasn’t easy at all. Crabs often hide deep inside crevices, and if you’re careless even for a second, they can pinch you or quickly escape. Meanwhile, waves continuously crash against you, making movement even more difficult,” he explained.
According to Binh, the most enjoyable part was being able to personally search for and catch crabs amid the early-morning seaside atmosphere, surrounded by the sound of waves and fishermen calling to one another. “Every time someone caught a crab, everyone would cheer excitedly. It’s a very different experience compared to ordinary sightseeing trips I’ve ever taken,” he said.
Besides crab catching and drag-net fishing, nearshore net casting is also highly popular. For the simple and sincere fishermen, these activities are merely a way of sharing their everyday working rhythm with people interested in experiencing life at sea. It is precisely this rustic warmth and sincerity that have made many visitors and young people fall in love with the fishing villages of Vinh Loc’s coastal region.
Binh added, “What impressed me most was the kindness of the local people. Nobody calculated costs or charged experience fees. Anyone who wanted to join could simply participate, which made me feel incredibly warm and welcomed”.
More than just recreational outings or a chance for a change of scenery, these trips to fishing villages help many young people better understand maritime occupations, experience the simple working rhythm of coastal residents, and develop a greater appreciation for traditional coastal livelihoods.