VietNamNet Bridge - Every day dozens of boats carry hundreds of fishermen of Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province to the sea to catch snails. 

Each trip takes 3-4 days to the islands of the districts of Tien Yen, Dam Ha, and Hai Ha.  

Each ship carries 8 to 10 people, who are divided into two groups to catch snails. 

It is an unwritten rule that fishermen only catch big snails. 

Catching snails is a hard job but the income is high compared to other manual jobs, from VND800,000 to over VND1 million/person ($40-$50)/trip.

However, snails are getting depleted, said fisherman Nguyen Van Nhu, 50, from Ha Long commune of Van Don District.  

Sea snails are mainly exported to China or sold to restaurants, at the price of VND60,000-VND90,000 per kilo ($3-4.5).

VNE