NEEDED SUPPORT: Every fisherman in the group has his own task: preparing the net, casting the net to shore, pulling, collecting fish.

Hữu Quyết

Fishermen in Hải Ninh Commune of Hà Tĩnh Province still maintain the traditional practice of shore-seine net fishing, which helps them feed their families while also preserving a distinctive local fishing tradition that has become an attractive experience for modern tourists.

This activity takes place only on days with favourable weather, when the sea is calm and the waves are gentle. Fishermen gather in groups and head ashore together to pull in their nets. The fishing gear used for this is simple, consisting of a net several thousand metres long, a small boat, and up to 20 fishermen.

The long net is made of fine nylon netting. To cast the net, fishermen first secure one end on the shore with wooden stakes. They then use a small boat to carry the other end out to sea, about 300–400m from the shore.

Once they reach the marked fishing area, the fishermen begin to cast the net. They coordinate their movements, guiding the boat in an arc to form a closed circle on the water's surface.

According to fisherman Lê Quang Lý net fishing has been passed down through many generations in his area. This craft is highly dependent on the tides, so the catch varies from trip to trip. Nevertheless, people remain committed to it because it is a traditional occupation that provides fresh seafood for local families while supplementing their incomes. — VNS

OCEAN GIFT: Fishermen take fish out of the net after a morning of hard work. VNA/VNS Photos

LIVELIHOOD: Net fishing is a traditional craft of the local residents.

HARD PROCESS: After the net is cast, fishermen will cooperate to pull the net together.

CASTING FAR AND WIDE: Net fishing is a unique cultural feature of the coastal people of Hải Ninh Commune in Hà Tĩnh Province.

DAILY LIVING: Although it is tough, fisherman are happy with their job.

END RESULT: A basket of fish, result of a hard morning of work.

THE NEXT STEP: Afterwards, the fishermen collect the fish from their nets, sort them by type, and sell them to traders.