Bustling clam hunting season in Dien Chau

According to people who work as clam hunters in Dien Bich and Dien Ngoc communes, this year's clam season is not only good but also lasts for many months, bringing great profits to the people. Every day, from noon to late afternoon, clam hunting boats are busy docking at the dock to sell goods, refuel, repair equipment... Photo: Huy Thu

A clam fishing boat owner in Dien Bich commune said: Currently, people in coastal communes of Dien Chau who hunt clams often catch clams in the seas of Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai... Each trip lasts about 24 hours, people go to sea to fish all night, organize the collection, cleaning, and classification of clams right on the boat. Photo: Huy Thu

Clams are bivalve mollusks that live under layers of mud and sand along the coast. Currently, people catch two types of clams: razor clams and scallops, of which the main output is razor clams. To catch razor clams, boats often attach toothed iron rakes and long net bags to the back of the boat. As the boat moves, the rake net is pulled that far, and the clams will fall into the net bag. Photo: Huy Thu

Depending on the density of clams at sea, the seafarers calculate the time, pull the net bag to dump the clams. After catching, the clams are selected, cleaned, and packed into sacks. Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, a clam hunting boat owner in Tay Loc hamlet, Dien Ngoc commune, said: Clam hunting is quite hard work, you have to work day and night without rest. The cost for each trip, just for gasoline, is about 4 - 5 million VND, in addition to the cost of hiring workers is about 500,000 VND/day/worker. Photo: Huy Thu

It is known that at peak times, Dien Bich and Dien Ngoc communes had hundreds of ships hunting for sea clams. In the afternoon, each ship docked with 1-3 tons of clams. Currently, the number of clams caught has decreased. Every day, about dozens of tons of clams arrive at Dien Ngoc port. Mr. Lo Van Son, a clam hunting ship owner in Dien Ngoc commune, said: Recently, his ship has caught about 1 ton of clams per trip. Photo: Huy Thu

During clam season, the wharf is as bustling as a market, with bustling scenes of buying, selling, loading, and transporting clams. In the photo: The scene of buying, selling, and transporting clams at the wharf in Dien Ngoc commune. Photo: Huy Thu

At the docks, in addition to traders from all over waiting to buy clams, a team of hired clam carriers and a fleet of service vehicles have been formed (50,000 VND/trip to transport clams to households in the commune). Photo: Huy Thu

A man who works as a clam porter in Dien Ngoc commune said: The clam porter job is quite hard, but it provides extra income to support the family. The price for carrying clams is around 10,000 VND/bag to transport from the ship to a tractor or truck. Photo: Huy Thu

The wholesale price of clams for traders at the wharf fluctuates depending on the time and day. A few months ago, when clams were caught, the price was from 4,000 - 5,000 VND/kg, recently the price has increased to 9,000 - 10,000 VND/kg, even on August 18 in Dien Ngoc, the price of clams was 12,000 VND/kg. Photo: Huy Thu

During the clam season, families in Dien Bich and Dien Ngoc communes are bustling with activity. They import clams home, then export both shell and whole clams to localities in and outside the province. At night, many families cook clams like making Tet cakes. Many local female workers have taken up the profession of picking clams. Whole clams are nutritious food that can be processed into many delicious and attractive dishes that many people love. Photo: Huy Thu