The coastal township of Lagi in BinhThuanProvince is famous for breathtaking landscapes such as Duong Hill, Cam Binh and Nganh Tam Tan beaches, Ba Islet and ThayThimTemple. But another place luring photographers is Mui Da Beach in Tan Phuoc Commune, where visitors can see the typical daily activities of fishing villages.
In the early morning when it is still cool, dewdrops spatter on the leaves and the sun has not yet risen, photographers wake up and head to the beach in time to catch glimpses of fishermen returning to Mui Da Beach.
Strolling on the path leading to the wharf and listening to the pine trees singing in the breeze, tourists will feel at peace. The beach lies deep in the green pine forest, with an asphalt road heading toward the sandflat where some simple bamboo barriers mark the wharf.
Many colorfully-painted coracles are dried on the sandbanks, and the seawaves ripple there. The stillness overwhelms the immense sea in the evening, while animated atmosphere engulfs it in the morning. Even though it is quite early, locals get ready to serve food on the beach. They light fires to boil water and set up tables and chairs for guests.
The sea is still dark in the very early morning but the space is getting crowded. Some sit gazing at the sea, while others are busy taking the oxcarts close to the sandbank and feeding the oxen. Meanwhile, photographers look encumbered carrying their cameras, lenses and bags, anxious for that perfect shot.
Everything is ready on the beach to welcome the returning boats. The aroma of breakfast dishes fills the air. From the open sea, the light illuminates the sky and some boats are seen heading toward the beach. Giant boats with fishing nets, lifebuoys and catches of fish ride the waves to the shore. The beach is bustling and the oxcarts are waiting at the water’s edge.
Due to the shallow sea, big boats have to anchor far away and as such tourists cannot see them clearly from the beach. Locals use smaller motorized boats to transfer aqua-products and equipment ashore.
Upon reaching shallow water where the boats touch bottom, fishermen turn off the motors and drag them onto the sand. Oxcarts are responsible for pulling them ashore. Some fishermen bring the motors home for safekeeping, others take out fish from the nets and sort them.
As the sunrise shines its glory, more boats sail back and the oxcarts have to work non-stop, despite the short distance.
Since fishermen were working throughout the previous night, they have to wear raincoats in a bid to resist the cold. In the daytime, however, it’s scorching. They return in the morning exhausted.
Along Vietnam’s coastline, there are many such fishing ports but while some are popular, others have their own potential. Lagi Township has a large fishing port with modern fishery service infrustracture, but the very nestled fishing villages with scenes like these are typical in every region.
For instance, tourists are intrigued to see the way locals use oxcarts to drag the boats ashore, or fishermen shaking fishing nets on the sandflat. From 9 a.m., when the morning catches are finished, cart owners leisurely sit smoking on the sand while the oxen freely graze by the immense sea.
