Fishing Boats Get a Fresh Look For Tet, High Hopes For the New Season
As the year's final fishing trips draw to a close, fishermen along the Lam Dong coast bring their vessels ashore for thorough maintenance, repainting, and upgrades. With freshly painted hulls and newly replaced national flags, the boats are given a renewed appearance—ready for a smooth and prosperous start to the Year of the Horse.
In the days leading up to Tet, boat repair yards in Phu Thuy Ward and across coastal areas of Lam Dong Province become increasingly busy. Dozens of fishing vessels are hauled onto slipways for end-of-year maintenance—known locally among fishermen as “lam nuoc,” a traditional term referring to the comprehensive repair and refurbishment of boats before the Lunar New Year.
According to observations at the yards, more than 30 fishing vessels are currently undergoing repairs, including many high-capacity boats with engine power ranging from 300 to 800 horsepower. Repair work typically involves hull replacement, repainting, engine overhauls, electrical system upgrades, and improvements to onboard living quarters.
Not only local fishermen’s boats, but also many fishing vessels from the Phu Quy Special Administrative Zone, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City have chosen repair yards here for end-of-year maintenance.
According to the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of early January 2026, the province has a total of 8,210 registered vessels, including 1,941 fishing boats measuring 15 meters or longer, with a wide range of engine capacities.
Mr. Tran Dung, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the boat repair industry and owns a mechanical workshop along the Phu Hai River, said this is the busiest time of the year. “After a full year at sea, boat owners usually carry out comprehensive upgrades. Depending on the level of wear and damage, repairs can take anywhere from several weeks to a full month,” he noted.
During this peak season, boatbuilders and mechanics work almost continuously, earning daily wages of around 500,000 to 700,000 VND, depending on skill level and experience.
Boats are like homes at sea. At year’s end, everyone wants to refurbish them, hoping for a smooth and successful fishing year ahead.
Mr. Dinh Van Teo, owner of a 500-horsepower fishing vessel
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Quy, a resident of the Phu Quy Special Administrative Zone, is busy upgrading a newly purchased offshore seafood purchasing vessel at the yard. He estimates the hull alone is worth around 1.3 billion VND, while the cost of repairs and upgrades to make the vessel fully seaworthy is expected to exceed 1 billion VND.
According to Mr. Quy, the offshore seafood market in Phu Quy has been growing rapidly, allowing fishermen to sell their catch immediately upon landing, thereby improving efficiency and income.
This meticulous preparation shows a strong commitment to the fishing industry and a willingness to go offshore and remain at sea from the very first expeditions of the new year.
For fishermen along the Lam Dong coast, hauling boats ashore for “lam nuoc” ahead of Tet is more than a yearly routine—it embodies their faith and hopes for a favorable new fishing season.