Vibrant life at Lien Huong Fishing Port in Vietnam

Lien Huong Fishing Village was formed several hundred years ago in the former Binh Thuan Province, now Lam Dong Province.

Nestled along National Highway 1, the village retains a rustic, coastal character, reflected in both its landscape and cultural identity.

In the past, the fishing village had no electricity, and residents had limited access to education. Most people lived a self-sufficient lifestyle, preserving distinct local dialects and traditional customs such as whale worship, seafaring practices, and informal coastal trade.

At the Lien Huong Fishing Port, fishing boats return from offshore trips every early morning. Locals gather to sort and trade seafood, selling it directly at the local market or drying it on nearby grounds.

The coastal waters are rich in marine resources, offering a variety of flavorful fish such as tuna, mackerel scad, anchovy, ponyfish, and white sardine.

Fishing skills, fish sauce production, and seafood trading have been passed down through generations.

With the arrival of electricity and the development of the Lien Huong Fishing Port, with embankments, docks, and designated anchorage areas, the village has taken on a new appearance.

The port is not only a trading hub but also a storm shelter for thousands of fishing vessels each year.

Despite modernization, the rhythm of coastal life remains largely unchanged. People wake up early to receive incoming fishing boats and purchase seafood.

Notably, a new fish market was built after a previously polluted canal area was reclaimed and filled.

Though modest in size, the market is lively and diverse.

Local specialties including banh can (Vietnamese mini pancakes) and banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling crepes) are often eaten with fish-based dipping sauce instead of traditional fish sauce.

Freshly caught small squid is preferred rather than frozen or stored seafood.

Tourists visiting nearby attractions such as Hang Pagoda or Co Thach Beach often stop by the fishing port market to enjoy the sea view and buy affordable fresh seafood.

Simply listening to the local accent of Lien Huong already feels distinctive and engaging.

More modern than before, yet still preserving its coastal identity, the simple and authentic lifestyle of fishing villages like Lien Huong is a cultural specialty that coastal localities in central Vietnam should strive to preserve and further highlight.

* This article was originally written in Vietnamese by Huynh Huong, a fisherfolk in Lien Huong Fishing Village in Lam Dong Province, and rewritten in English by Tuoi Tre News.