Fish harvest season brings festive spirit, extra income in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Along inland canals in Thap Muoi, Tram Chim and Tam Nong, the annual ‘fish migration season’ has transformed quiet waterways into bustling centers of activity.

Fishermen, traders, fish processors and buyers work from before dawn until late afternoon, taking advantage of one of the most productive periods of the year.

The season typically occurs during the 10th and 11th lunar months, when floodwaters begin withdrawing from rice fields.

As water levels fall, fish move into canals and rivers, creating ideal conditions for harvesting.

On Wednesday, along Provincial Road 855 near Tram Chim Commune, traders traveled by motorcycle carrying large plastic containers to collect fish directly from local fishermen.

Others purchased fish for processing into dried fish and fermented fish products, both regional specialties.

Truong Thi Den, a fish trader from Thanh Binh Commune, said she travels more than 15 kilometers twice a day to buy fish from local residents.

“Each trip, I collect about 40-50 kilograms of fish,” Den said.

“This week is especially good because water levels are dropping and more fish are moving out of the fields.”

Many local fishermen rely on the season as an important source of supplementary income before the winter-spring rice crop begins.

At one collection point in Tram Chim Commune, fisherman Truong Phuoc Sanh and his wife sold more than 20 kilograms of freshwater catfish caught that morning for VND247,000 (US$10).

“The fish season only lasts about 20 days,” Sanh said.

“I can earn between VND100,000 [$4] and VND200,000 [$8] a day. It helps support my family and provides capital for raising fish during the dry season.”

Nearby, the family of Vo Thi Y and her son Ngo Hong Phong spend their days catching fish, selling fresh catches and preparing dried products for regular customers.

Phong said fishermen commonly harvest between 20 and 40 kilograms of fish daily, generating additional earnings of VND300,000 ($12) to VND400,000 ($16) per day.

This year's season is expected to end earlier than usual because water levels have receded faster than in previous years.

Despite the shorter flood season, local residents said fish stocks have been abundant.

According to Y, commonly caught species include loaches, catfish and pangasius.

Fresh fish prices range from about VND5,000 ($0.2) per kilogram for small fish used in fish sauce production to VND70,000 ($2.7)-VND100,000 ($4) per kilogram for snakehead fish.

Dried fish products command significantly higher prices, selling for between VND250,000 ($10) and VND400,000 ($16) per kilogram depending on the species.

The harvest season creates a vibrant atmosphere throughout the countryside, with residents gathering at canal banks to weigh fish, negotiate prices and prepare products for market.

For many families, the annual fish migration is more than a natural event.

It remains an important economic opportunity and a cherished part of life in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.