Fishermen and the sea

I am a mountain girl proud of the deep green forest, I later understood that people from the coastal area are attached to the vast ocean. Where I live, the sound of gongs echoes between the mountains and forests, and where I go to the ocean is the sound of waves and sea breeze. As a girl born in the middle of the mountains, the first time I set foot on the sea, my heart was moved. I love and admire the people here - the simple and resilient fishermen.

In Phan Thiet fishing village, Binh Thuan province, an old fishing village with a strong traditional character, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the life of the fishermen here. The fishing village is nestled in small houses close together, leaning against the mountain, facing the vast ocean. The lives of the people here are closely connected to the sea, like an inseparable part of their flesh and blood. The sea is not only a source of life but also a source of pride, a place to entrust the dreams and hopes of many generations.

Following the fishermen out to sea, I felt the hardship but also the pride in each movement of pulling the net and casting the line. The boat compartments full of fish, shrimp, and squid are not only the result of their labor but also a testament to their love and resilience in the face of harsh nature. At night, the lights on the sea sparkle like small stars, not to illuminate but to awaken dreams of making a living. The sound of the waves mixed with the laughter of the fishermen creates a lively, vibrant harmony.

I will always remember the image of an old man with white hair, still tirelessly going out to sea with his children and grandchildren. He was small in stature but his eyes were bright and full of energy. When I asked him why he did not rest, he just smiled gently, his voice warm: “The sea is home, is love, is life. Although it is hard, the joy from full catches always makes people healthy and life happy.” His words were a strong affirmation of the inseparable bond between people and the sea.

Through long trips, I gradually understood more about the lives of fishermen. Small houses by the sea were often deserted by men, because they had gone to sea. Women stayed behind to take care of the house and children. Although life was difficult, smiles were always on their lips, like bright sunshine in the middle of a storm.

The lives of fishermen in fishing villages depend entirely on nature – a relationship that is both close and challenging. In good harvest years, the sea generously bestows boat holds full of fish, shrimp, and squid. Fishing families can temporarily breathe a sigh of relief, children get new clothes, and family meals are more plentiful. But when the sea is rough and storms come, life becomes difficult again. The cold northeast monsoon and fierce waves not only wipe out the income but also threaten the lives of the men who depend on the sea.

They are not only hard workers but also talented artisans. With their skillful hands, they create sophisticated fishing tools, from nets, basket boats to special fishing rods suitable for each type of fish. Experience passed down from generation to generation helps them face the challenges of the sea, from predicting the weather to finding suitable fishing grounds.

Not only that, fishermen also possess unique creativity. From fresh batches of fish, they process them into specialties with the rich flavor of the sea. Fish sauce - an indispensable condiment in Vietnamese meals - is the crystallization of ingenuity and dedication. The rich, aromatic drops of fish sauce are not only the product of labor but also a symbol of the culture of the fishing village. Although life is still difficult, the optimism and solidarity of the fishermen are always a strong source of inspiration. They not only live with the sea but also live for the sea, as an inseparable part of their lives.

Leaving the sea and returning to the North, I carry with me indelible memories of the days living in the fishing village. Every time I hold a bottle of fish sauce in my hand, I can hear the sound of waves lapping, the sound of the sea breeze blowing through the small roofs along the shore. The image of the people here appears clearly in my mind – simple, resilient fishermen, living with the sea as if living with their own breath.

Every family meal, when I open the fish sauce bottle, I feel the taste of the sea, the sun, the wind, and the simple yet profound stories of everyday life. It is a story about the stormy days, when the storm swept away everything, but could not sweep away the will and faith of the people here. It is a story about solidarity and sharing, when the whole village together overcame difficulties, together keeping the sea as if keeping a part of their soul.

The sea is not only a place to earn a living, but also a place to nurture the soul, to forge the resilient and creative spirit of the fishing village people. And for me, the sea is a beautiful part of my memories, an endless source of inspiration, a place I always want to return to, to listen to the sound of the waves, to feel the breath of life, and to remember the people who have lived fully with the sea, because of the sea.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/ngu-dan-va-bien-129285.html