Along Vietnam's central coast, fishermen hauling in nets and wading backward to catch tiny shrimp offer visitors to Cua Lo Beach a glimpse of traditional livelihoods and the rhythms of life by the sea.
In late October, swarms of tiny shrimp-like crustaceans known locally as ruoc have appeared in large numbers along Cua Lo Beach in Nghe An Province, central Vietnam. From early morning, dozens of fishermen head into the water with their equipment, hoping to catch the seasonal bounty as the tides bring it close to shore.
Along Cua Lo Beach, fishermen harvesting tiny shrimp-like crustaceans can be seen every five to ten meters.
Walking along the beach, visitors can spot fishermen harvesting ruoc every five to ten meters.
Nguyen Dinh Binh, 60, a resident of Cua Lo Ward, joins his two sons at the water's edge with a traditional fishing tool known as a nhui. The device consists of a dome-shaped net attached to a long bamboo handle. Fishermen wade into the sea, pressing the handle down to keep the net close to the seabed as they move through the water and gather the tiny crustaceans.
What makes the technique unusual is that fishermen must walk backward. By keeping the net against the seabed and moving in the right direction, they allow the current to carry the ruoc into the mesh.
Binh and his son are pleased with the income they earn from harvesting ruoc.
Although the process may look simple, it requires stamina, dexterity and a keen understanding of the tides to identify where the crustaceans are most concentrated.
According to Binh, he and his two sons collected nearly 100 kilograms of ruoc after about five hours of work. On days when larger swarms arrive, their catch can be even greater. Fresh ruoc currently sells to traders for approximately $0.80 to $1.20 per kilogram.
Despite requiring little investment in equipment, the work demands considerable endurance. Fishermen often spend hours wading through the water, which may reach only their knees near shore but can rise to their waists or even necks when they venture farther out in search of larger swarms.
Ruoc, also known locally as moi or tep bien, is a small, protein-rich crustacean.
Visitors buy freshly caught ruoc from fishermen to enjoy after swimming.
Once harvested, ruoc can be fermented into fish sauce, added to soups or dried for later use. Dried ruoc sells for approximately $4.60 to $5.80 per kilogram, allowing local families to make the most of the seasonal catch and increase its value.
Alongside ruoc harvesting, traditional shore seine fishing, locally known as keo luoi rung, remains a distinctive feature of daily life in Cua Lo.
At daybreak, groups of fishermen gather to prepare nets stretching hundreds of meters, ready for another round of nearshore fishing.
Traditional shore seine fishing requires close coordination among fishermen, from choosing where to set the nets to timing the haul with the tides.
Depending on the weather and tides, fishermen may haul their nets two or three times a day, in the morning and afternoon.
One fisherman takes a round bamboo basket boat about one kilometer offshore, laying the net in a broad arc or U-shape. Back on the beach, the remaining fishermen divide into two teams of five to seven people, each gripping a rope to haul the net toward shore.
The process requires careful coordination. Working together, the fishermen pull steadily on the ropes, stepping backward across the sand as they gradually tighten the net.
It can take more than two hours to bring in a single haul, depending on the tides and seasonal conditions.
When the weather and tides are favorable, fishermen may cast and retrieve their nets two or three times a day, usually in the morning and afternoon.
Local residents and tourists gather to buy fresh seafood as fishermen bring their nets ashore.
At this time of year, catches commonly include herring and other small coastal fish. Some hauls yield nearly 100 kilograms, while others bring in only a few kilograms.
The fish are generally sold in small batches, trays or baskets, with prices depending on the size of the catch and negotiations between buyers and sellers.
For visitors, part of the appeal lies in watching the entire process unfold, from fishermen setting their nets offshore to the moment freshly caught fish are hauled onto the sand.
Tourists and local residents can also buy seafood directly from fishermen as soon as the catch reaches the beach.
Beyond providing an income for coastal families, ruoc harvesting and traditional net fishing have become part of Cua Lo's appeal as a travel destination.
These simple, authentic experiences offer visitors a closer look at the lives of coastal communities, the hard work behind traditional fishing and the enduring relationship between local people and the sea.
Vietnamnet.vn
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