Embracing the Sea’s “Blessings” in Hoa Thang Fishing Village
In the first days of 2026, as the sun just begins to rise, round basket boats of fishermen in Hoa Thang Commune return home carrying the “blessings” of the sea. Even during the northeast monsoon, when the sea can suddenly turn treacherous, local fishermen continue day and night to cling to the sea and their fishing village to make a living.
The Sea’s “Blessings” Along the Sandy Shore
Located about 15 kilometers from the Mui Ne tourist area, Hoa Thang fishing village stretches along a coastal section known as “Bai Oc” (Snail Beach)—a name recalling a time when the shore was once rich with countless sea snails. Today, the area is not only scenic but also increasingly attractive to visitors seeking authentic, experiential tourism.
Despite the monsoon season, the sea that morning was gentle and calm. Along the shore, the atmosphere was lively with laughter and conversation. Rows of basket boats were neatly pulled onto the sand as fishermen swiftly began removing nets and sorting the sea’s “blessings.”
At around 6 a.m., the family of Nguyen Van Sang, a veteran fisherman from Hong Hai Hamlet, hauled their basket boat ashore. His hands moved quickly, freeing anchovies tightly tangled in the net after hours at sea.
“Every day, our basket boat heads out to fish at around 2 a.m. and returns early in the morning. No fisherman can say for sure whether the sea is more ‘abundant’ or ‘scarce’ than in previous years, but we still stick with the trade. Each trip lasts a day, reaching as far as four to five nautical miles offshore.”
Nearby, the couple Tran Van Tu were busy disentangling hairtail fish from their nets. The freshly caught fish appeared plump and glistening in the morning light, drawing admiration from onlookers. Although the catch was not large, the fish were fresh and sizable, and traders were already waiting to purchase them as soon as the nets were cleared.
These traders were familiar faces—mostly women from the fishing village itself, many with more than a decade of experience. Mrs. Bay, in her early 50s, has worked as a seafood wholesaler here for 17 years.
“Every morning I come here to buy fresh seafood directly from the boat owners and resell it at the market,” she said. “If tourists are around, I can sell right on the beach. Earning 100,000 to 200,000 VND a day to cover daily expenses already makes me content.”
Livelihoods Shaped by the Sea
Like many sandy coastal areas in the province, Hoa Thang fishing village is known for its peaceful, rustic charm, still largely untouched by urbanization. Nature seems to have favored this place, sheltering it from strong winds and storms. Hundreds of basket boats and small fishing vessels gather here after each trip to sea.
According to Nguyen Thi Hong Hoa, a local resident, no one knows exactly when Hoa Thang became popular with tourists. Beyond its scenic beauty and convenient location near major tourist hubs, the village's true draw is the freshness and abundance of the sea’s “blessings.”
“On this trip, I harvested about 30–40 kg of anchovies, more than in recent days. However, because the fish are small, they can only be sold wholesale at 18,000 VND per kilogram. After deducting fuel costs and the fee for hiring a tractor (used to transport basket boats in and out of the water), I earn a little over 500,000 VND.”
Fisherman Van Sang Nguyen
After another calm trip, fisherman Tran Huu Phuong shared that each basket boat follows different fishing methods—from lobster traps to net fishing for fish and crabs—creating the diverse seafood harvest typical of Bai Oc.
However, the northeast monsoon season still poses challenges, especially for nearshore fishermen. A basket boat is a family’s most valuable asset, costing 20–30 million VND for smaller boats and over 100 million VND for larger ones. Illegal trawling continues to threaten fishing grounds and damage nets, sometimes leaving fishermen empty-handed. Residents of Hoa Thang and neighboring coastal communes have called for stronger enforcement to protect marine resources and local livelihoods.
As dawn breaks, Hoa Thang fishing village comes alive—sunlight filtering through fishing nets, laughter echoing along the shore, and smiles following a bountiful catch. It is a simple yet deeply moving portrait of coastal life, whether the sea is calm or monsoon winds blow.
According to the Hoa Thang Commune People’s Committee, the commune currently has 164 motorized basket boats, mostly with capacities of 8–20 CV, and 17 fishing vessels with hull lengths under 6 meters. Most boats are owned by fishermen from Hong Hai and Hong Chinh hamlets. Local fishermen mainly engage in net fishing, trawling, gillnets, and trap fishing. In 2025, the commune’s total seafood catch reached 835 tons, exceeding the target of 820 tons.