Sandworms are seen as a speciality of Vinh Bao, An Lao, Kien Thuy and Tien Lang districts in Haiphong.

Bui Kim Lien from Vinh Bao District’s Tan Lien Commune who has 10-year experience in sandworm breeding said sandworms often float on the water surface for 7-10 days. So farmers have to take advantage of this occasion to catch them.

Vinh Bao District’s sandworms are highly appreciated the most for the quality as they are often bigger than those of other areas and have better taste.

Sandworm prices are usually higher in the run-up to the Tet Holiday due to rising demand.

Nowadays, sandworms can be frozen for being preserved for many days.

Sandworms are good for the health and can be made into various dishes, including sandworm omelette. Sandworms can be combined with some types of vegetables to be fried or be used for soup.

This year, each household can harvest around 150 kilos of sandworm a day. Some can catch up to 300 kilos, earning millions of VND per day.

Many families have turned into raising sandworms from shrimp and fish breeding.

Farmers pour more mud and sand onto the fields to ensure a good environment for the worms.

Households drain the fields so that sandworms can stick to nets. After being washed for several times, sandworms are put into boxes for sale.

Besides Haiphong, the northern province of Hai Duong is also another sandworm hub.

  One kilo of sandworm is priced at VND250-400,000 (USD10-17), depending on their variety.

Tienphong/Dtinews

Havesting sandworm in Vietnam

Every year, between the 9th and 10th months of the lunar year, farmers in the northern province of Hai Duong drain their fields and go on the hunt for sandworms.