Fishermen and traders are busy at Nhật Lệ Port. — Photos dantri.com.vn

QUẢNG BÌNH — Hoàng Văn Cải, the owner of a fishing boat in Quảng Phú Commune, Ba Đồn town, Quảng Bình central province, docked at Nhật Lệ port with a cheerful smile.

After seven days at sea, Cải along with seven crew members, caught nearly two tonnes of seafood, mainly greater yellowtail and mackerel, two popular types of fish during the Tết (Lunar New Year) festival.

After selling the entire catch, each crew member received VNĐ12-15 million (US$492-$615), helping them cover expenses and take care of their families during the Tết holiday.

"This fishing isn't a big catch, but prices are higher in the days before Tết, so our income is higher also. A year-end trip like this is a success for us. We will return to our hometown to celebrate Tết with our families," Cải told Dân Trí online newspaper.

In Quảng Bình, in recent days, fishing boats have been returning to shore to supply seafood for the Lunar New Year, creating a busy and bustling atmosphere at the fishing ports.

Many traders are waiting to load fish onto trucks, transporting them for consumption or placing them in cold storage warehouses.

The sound of boat engines, along with the laughter and chatter of buyers and sellers, creates a lively scene at the port in the days ahead of Tết.

Transferring fish from the boat to the shore for traders, Nguyễn Thanh Lân, a fisherman from Bảo Ninh Commune, Đồng Hới City, said he caught over two tonnes of fish due to favourable weather.

With this catch, he sold it for VNĐ400 million, which is VNĐ100 million higher than usual.

This serves as motivation for fishermen to continue going offshore after Tết, Lân said.

Busy scene at Nhật Lệ Port.

In the final days of the lunar year, fishermen have caught many tuna, greater yellowtail and mackerel. Not only boats from Quảng Bình Province but also those from other provinces have docked at Nhật Lệ port to sell their seafood.

Alongside the joy of boat owners, labourers involved in post-fishing activities such as unloading and sorting fish are also excited, earning daily incomes of VNĐ200,000-400,000.

"Recently, we have been purchasing around 10 tonnes of mackerel and tuna each day, three times more than usual. To facilitate trading, we have mobilised maximum labour capacity, working at full capacity," said Lê Việt Trung, the owner of a seafood trading establishment.

Head of the Quảng Bình fisheries sub-department Lê Ngọc Linh said there are about 25 large-capacity fishing boats travelling offshore during the Lunar New Year holidays.

Fishermen consider their boats as homes, and the sea as their homeland. Therefore, their ritual offerings for the Lunar New Year are performed on the sea.

Fishermen will welcome Tết on the boat's deck, hoping for a bountiful catch upon their return in the early days of lunar January, Linh said. — VNS