(Baonghean.vn) - “The people who walk backwards” is the name that Dien Chau people give to those who work as clam rakers. Although this job is hard and the income is not high, the women still immerse themselves in the waves every day, hoping to have a daily income.
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| As soon as the sky broke, clam diggers in Dien Thanh commune (Dien Chau) gathered in groups and went to areas with lots of clams to start a day of work. Photo: Quang An |
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| Clam catching usually starts at 6am and lasts until around 11am. Clam catching groups usually walk backwards in a line to support each other and avoid missing any clams. Photo: Quang An |
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| Primitive clam catching tools, including iron blades for raking clams, baskets, and curved knives or sickles for raking clams. Photo: Quang An |
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| Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, a long-time clam catcher, said: On lucky days, I catch about 2kg of clams, but on other days I only get a few ounces, which I bring home to cook soup, not worth paying for the restaurant. Photo: Quang An |
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| Ms. Ha, a local who has been raking clams for more than 20 years, shared: "This job requires good health and a lot of experience because you have to walk backwards, using both hands to press the tool down on the sand to find clams. At the end of the day, your whole body is tired and wet. Some people even catch a cold when they go home. I don't have much strength anymore, I can only earn 1kg a day, sometimes I'm lucky and can earn a few kg." Photo: Quang An |
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| According to the people of Dien Chau coastal area, natural sea clams are sweeter than farmed clams, have a variety of colors, and are also more expensive than farmed clams by 15,000 - 20,000 VND/kg. The price of one kilogram of sea clams is 45,000 VND/kg. Photo: Quang An |
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| After being caught, the clams are put into baskets. The weather is cold this season, but there are still many people digging clams for a living at sea. The products are sold to restaurants at the beach. Because many people dig clams, this source of income is decreasing day by day. Photo: Quang An |
Clam hunting clip in Dien Chau:
Quang An
