Fishermen earn big profits as Tet seafood demand surges

In the final days of the lunar year, hundreds of fishing boats return to Lach Van port in Nghe An, loaded with tons of shrimp, squid, and crabs, ensuring a lucrative Tet season for local fishermen.

Lach Van port, located in Dien Chau District, is one of the five largest fishing ports in Nghe An, with around 1,000 local fishing boats frequently operating. The port provides livelihoods for hundreds of workers in the area.

A bustling port ahead of Tet

On January 25 (the 26th day of the lunar calendar), hundreds of fishing boats with capacities ranging from 90 to 480 horsepower returned to the port, their holds filled with shrimp, squid, crabs, and other fresh seafood.

Tran Xuan Dieu, a 38-year-old fisherman from Ngoc Bich Commune, shared that his 400-horsepower boat had just completed a week-long trip, returning with a ton of seafood.

"This trip was highly productive, bringing in profits of over 100 million VND ($4,200). Everyone is thrilled, and after this, we’ll rest and celebrate Tet. We plan to head back out to sea around the 6th or 9th day of the lunar calendar," Dieu said with excitement.

Thriving seafood trade

As the boats docked, the port grew busier throughout the day. Traders crowded the area to secure the freshest seafood to meet the high Tet demand.

Le Thom, a seafood trader from Dien Chau, shared her strategy: "I arrive early to select high-quality seafood from different boats, ensuring the freshest products for customers throughout the province."

Local residents also flocked to the port, selecting premium seafood to serve their families during Tet celebrations.

Nguyen Van Nam, a 47-year-old fisherman, shared that his crew completed four offshore trips in the past month, with each trip lasting 7–10 days. After deducting labor and fuel costs, each trip netted him around 30 million VND ($1,250), totaling over 130 million VND ($5,400) for the month.

"The seafood market at the end of the year is vibrant, and prices are favorable. Everyone on the crew is delighted. In the new year, we are determined to continue fishing not only to support our families but also to contribute to protecting Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty," Nam said proudly.

The fish are sorted and sold on-site, while others are prepared and grilled by local workers to meet the rising Tet demand.

According to Dien Chau’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, favorable weather conditions have resulted in a high seafood yield this year, ensuring steady incomes for fishermen. These positive outcomes serve as motivation for them to head back to sea after Tet, continuing to develop their livelihoods and safeguard the nation's maritime borders.