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.

In these days in Hue, the foggy weather immediately brings to my mind the menu of stir-fried khuyet (Sergestid shrimps) with tomato accompanied by raw vegetables. This experience was passed down by my mother.