With no advance warning, a school of sergestid shrimps suddenly rides the tide close to shore, turning a stretch of sea red. In a rush, right after the acetes arrive, villagers along the sandy shore grab nets, baskets, and bowls and head into the sea to scoop them up. Regarded as a festival day for the fishing village, the day the sergestid shrimps arrive brings both a meaningful source of income and a lively, bustling atmosphere to coastal fishing communities.

With over 120 kilometers of coastline and a vast lagoon system bestowed by nature, Hue is home to numerous attractive seafood markets, including Phu Hau Market and Ngu My Thanh Floating Market, and Vinh Hien Market… In this issue of Hue Today Weekly, we would like to take readers to the fish market of Thuan An through a series of photos taken by Duc Quang, a reporter, offering a glimpse into the vibrant daily life of a coastal fishing community.

At dawn, the coastal area of Vinh Loc Commune was already bustling with activity. On the sandy shore, groups of fishermen busily prepared for the first drag-net haul of the day. Boats returning after a night of fishing hurried back to shore. Amid this energetic rhythm of labor, many young people came to directly experience the lives of fishermen in the coastal fishing village.

“Vai nom tren cat” (Fish Trap Baskets on the Sand) or “Vai chai tren cat” (Fishing Nets on the Sand) is one of the activities staged by residents of Thuan An from the familiar movements of traditional fishing work. During every festival season in this coastal area, “Vai nom tren cat” becomes a vibrant source of spiritual and cultural enjoyment for local people and visitors alike.

According to the leaders of Phong Quang, Phong Phu wards… in the early days of 2026, fishermen along the former Ngu Dien nearshore coastal area have continuously landed bumper early-season herring catches, generating substantial income after short fishing trips. As of January 21st, the total early-season herring output in the former Ngu Dien area is estimated at dozens of tons.

In the coastal fishing villages of Phu Vang District, nearshore fishermen have begun their first voyages of the year, setting sail to welcome the sea’s early blessings.