Aspiration from the sea

The sea and sky there are sacred.

Since ancient times, ships have set sail...

My generation did not make a living from the sea like our fathers' generation, but that flavor, that land nurtured us to grow up with the desire for the sea...

Nha Trang beach.

The smell of fish water is very special, the smell of fish mixed with the smell of sea water, plus the smell of paint from the boat creates a very distinctive smell. Anyone who has absorbed that smell cannot forget it, the smell of aspiration, the smell of longing and the smell of separation. Even though I am an intellectual, when I return to the sea, I like that smell, because it is the pride of many generations of Nha Trang intellectuals who have lived, been nurtured and been covered by this smell so that we have the knowledge to continue building our homeland.

Nha Trang has been around for over a hundred years, but the traditional beauty is still there: Long Son Pagoda, Trai Thuy Hill, the special national monument of Ponagar Tower, Nha Trang Cathedral, Hon Chong... Besides, there is the natural scenery of the blue sky blending with the clear sea water. Floating clouds in the blue sky are the states when thinking about the coastal city of Nha Trang. Nha Trang grew up from coastal fishing villages. The fishing boats of fishermen from young to old all carry the aspiration to conquer the ocean. From the bow to the stern, they all bear the skillful appearance of shipbuilders. I grew up in Vinh Phuoc ward, where the Son Thuy boat-building camp is very professional, the bow of the boat is high and curved, both sides of the boat keep the soft curve, the stern fits the whole boat, keeping the balance when the boat goes into the water. The bow of small boats to the bow of large boats are all built here. My generation was born and did not make a living by the sea like the generation of my fathers and grandfathers. My great-grandfather lived on the sand dunes, skilled at sea with a double-bowed boat with fish-eye marks. My grandfather was skilled at sea with a small boat to catch mackerel and tuna. My father was skilled at sea with a boat of about 16m. But in my uncle's time, he was skilled at sea with a 23m boat. An aspiration inherited in the consciousness of the sea, not only to make a living but also to have the spirit and love to protect the Fatherland.

Around the city, Luong Son sea area has a harmonious route between mountains and sea. Xom Bong sea area has expanded its area into a dining and shopping area. Cua Be sea area today has upgraded its road surface, a new residential area has sprung up, and there is an additional boat tourism area next to Vinh Truong fish market. Binh Tan sea area is still peaceful on full moon days for boats to anchor firmly. Fishing ports are always lit up when the weather is still chilly in the morning. Seafood gathering points always have people on duty day and night to receive fish from the sea when the ships dock, distributing seafood to the outside and traditional markets.

Early morning at Hon Ro fishing port. Photo: Uyen Vu

The sea chants are thousands of miles away, the way of life is the same as our ancestors. The sea chants have been around for over a hundred years, both the sound of the waves and the sound of the fishermen. The sea chants have become a desire to live, and when praying for fish and safety at the beginning of the second lunar month, the communes and wards all resound with the strong and majestic Ba Trao tune. The Nha Trang sea has the Ba Trao chant like other seas, but the Vinh Truong fishermen hold the biggest fishing praying ceremony. The Vinh Truong boatmen have vividly recreated the underwater tomb scene, the royal edict procession, the Ong welcoming ceremony, the ceremony to worship the gods, Ba Trao chants... hoping for a favorable year for the sea, and for fishermen to win. Vinh Truong fishermen in particular and Nha Trang fishermen in general, are imbued with the spirit of working at sea.

Boats anchored at Vinh Luong fishing port. Photo: GC

And here are the skillful net menders who have created this sea. The calm and simple women have worked hard to catch the fishermen's boat trips. The rear is anxious to mend the wounds of the sea, of the sacred soul, weaving the colors and joyful sounds of the sea. "Knowing that this profession will be lost, now everyone thinks about changing jobs, but we still have a deep love for the sea for generations", a net mender shared. Forefathers through many generations have kept the tone of the sea, mended the sea, in each migration they also returned to the sea, preserving the sea for future generations to create an eternal fishing profession...

CHAU MINH TRONG

The Memory Zones writing contest was launched by Khanh Hoa Newspaper in June and ended in December 2023 with many emotional aftertastes. The newspaper also held an award ceremony for the outstanding works. After the contest, the editorial board continued to receive many articles sent to this column. In order to meet the needs and desires of readers to share and spread beautiful memories of the land of Agarwood in particular and the homeland of Vietnam in general, the Memory Zones column has been continued on Khanh Hoa Newspaper every Sunday. The editorial board sincerely thanks the cooperation of readers inside and outside the province to maintain this column in the past time and would like to close the column from March 2025. Articles sent to the editorial board with similar content will continue to be published by the newspaper on the culture and arts page in each issue. The editorial board hopes to continue receiving contributions from readers in other columns of the newspaper.

KHANH HOA NEWSPAPER

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/nhung-vung-ky-uc/202502/khat-vong-tu-bien-khoi-8f92aa1/