Flood season in Dong Thap, in the fields the water is red with alluvium to catch products, in the countryside market there are many freshwater fish.

When floodwaters come and the fields are submerged in water, the fish markets in the border areas of Dong Thap province become more bustling than ever.

A corner of Thuong Phuoc fish market, Hong Ngu district, Dong Thap province in the early morning.

At around 6:30 a.m., at Thuong Phuoc market - one of the largest freshwater fish markets in the Hong Ngu border district, it began to bustle with the sounds of laughter, invitations, and bargaining between buyers and sellers.

The products here are mainly seafood caught by fishermen in the flooded fields of the Hong Ngu watershed and neighboring areas.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (born in 1969) - a vendor at Thuong Phuoc market smiled brightly, enthusiastically introducing to customers her tray of jumping linh fish: "Buy young linh fish to braise with salt. Linh fish at the beginning of the season is very delicious, guaranteed fresh, if it's not delicious, we won't charge you." After the invitation was a gentle smile, eyes waiting for the buyer to bargain.

In addition to freshwater fish, Thuong Phuoc market, Hong Ngu district (Dong Thap province) also has many types of freshwater vegetables and snails for sale.

After being caught, the fish and specialty fish are transported by fishermen to the border markets of Dong Thap for consumption.

Ms. Hoa said that the flood season is the time that people in the upstream area look forward to the most, because during this season, shrimp and freshwater fish are abundant, trading activities are more bustling, thanks to which income is also better than usual.

On average, Ms. Hoa sells about 10 - 12 kg of various types of fish per day, earning from 80,000 - 150,000 VND/market session. For Ms. Hoa, this is a decent income that helps her family cover their daily expenses.

In addition to Ms. Hoa, Thuong Phuoc market has more than 10 small traders specializing in selling freshwater fish and other specialties of the flood season.

Bronze products at Thuong Phuoc market are also rich in variety such as: linh fish, catfish, loach, long shrimp, green-legged shrimp, snails, field mice... to typical vegetables of the flood season such as: water lily, sesbania, water spinach...

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong (left cover) and Ms. Huynh Thi Nga show off the catch of fish they just caught.

Many small traders said that this year the tide came later than usual, so there were not as many fish as in the same period of previous years.

Therefore, many types of fish have slightly increased in price by about 10,000 - 15,000 VND/kg compared to the same period in previous years. Specifically, loach is 250,000 VND/kg; catfish and scad are about 150,000 VND/kg, shrimp is 150,000 VND/kg; snails are priced from 60,000 - 80,000 VND/kg; field mice are about 100,000 - 110,000 VND/kg. Particularly, this year's linh fish catch is higher than the same period in previous years, so the price is also "softer", only from 100,000 - 120,000 VND/kg (cleaned)...

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong, resident of Thuong Phuoc 1 Commune (Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province), shared: “This year, the flood water came late, so there were fewer fish than in previous years. Every morning, my husband and I go to the fields early. The feeling of pulling up the net and seeing the linh fish jumping around is very joyful. Although it is hard work, every time I bring the fish to the market to sell and see the happy customers buying, my heart feels warm.”

The first season of anchovy fish in the border markets of Hong Ngu district, Dong Thap province costs about 220,000 - 250,000 VND/kg.

Mrs. Tran Thi Thuy, a daughter of the Mekong Delta, has traveled through many regions, but Thuong Phuoc fish market is always a familiar stop.

Ms. Thuy shared: “Every time I pass by here on a barge, I stop to go to Thuong Phuoc market to buy freshwater fish and vegetables to cook for my family. My family really likes braised linh fish with light salt and sour soup with linh fish and wild morning glory. Every time I cook these dishes, my whole family loves them. The feeling of being able to prepare rustic dishes with the freshest ingredients is truly wonderful.”

The fish market is not simply a place for buying and selling, but also has stories about the livelihood of people in the upstream area, carrying cultural values ​​associated with the people of the West...

Source: https://danviet.vn/mua-nuoc-noi-dong-thap-ngoai-dong-nuoc-do-phu-sa-bat-san-vat-tren-cho-que-la-liet-ca-dong-20241101234205728.htm