Catching mussels in Tam Giang Lagoon
Deep beneath the immense blue of Tam Giang Lagoon in Thua Thien-Hue province exists not only a world of aquatic creatures, but also mysterious stories of the spiritual life of the local people’s past.
Tam Giang Lagoon covers an area of nearly 5,200ha and has a great biological diversity with more than 700 species of aquatic flora and fauna.
Tam Giang Lagoon is the meeting place of three big rivers, the O Lau, Huong and Bo, before they run to the sea through the Thuan An estuary. In the past, there was a north-south road, a thousand miles long, running along the lagoon. Tam Giang was known as a vast wild and fierce lagoon area; the life of the residents there also contained many mysteries.
According to the local people, in the old days, the residents of Tam Giang Lagoon led an isolated existence on the vast desolate lagoon. They believed in the existence of gods who controlled the lagoon. The women dressed naked to the waist all year round.
Their rituals and rites were also unique, such as the Cau Ngu (fish prayer) Festival and the birthday ritual of one-year-old sons to maintain the stability of the family line, as well as the rite of betrothed couples sharing a cup of wine under the water.
Due to this extraordinary lifestyle, people living on land called them “lagoon barbarians” and girls were afraid of them. But all that’s in the past. Now the situation in Tam Giang is quite different.
Nowadays, the local people live well on the vast supply of seafood offered up by the “gods” and Tam Giang Lagoon is known to many for the extraordinary diversity of animal and plant life there.
In the world of aquatic creatures
Richly endowed by nature, Tam Giang abounds with many interesting things and rare and valuable products. It is home to a large number of birds, including many rare and precious species.
In winter, tens of thousands of birds from many parts migrate to Cua Lac Dam. According to researchers, this area is the habitat of 34 species of migratory birds and 36 species of local birds, 21 species of which are on the list of birds under strict European protection and one of which is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book.
According to local people, sometimes flocks of wild geese, teals and even black coots, up to thousands in number, gather in this area.
Tam Giang Lagoon area has been known for its richness of fish and shrimp. Following the fishing people in the morning or at sunset, visitors will see the richness of the fish and shrimp in this area.
In the morning, a large amount of fish and shrimp is carried to the markets. At 3-4pm, Con Toc ferry wharf is crowded with traders who come from many localities to purchase oysters and tria fish caught by the locals.
In the evenings under a bright moon and when the lagoon is calm with gentle waves, Tam Giang is the meeting place of moon- and water-lovers. Sitting on a boat anchored on the lagoon reflecting the moonlight, they enjoy drinking rice alcohol with shrimp caught from the lagoon.
Dan Tri captured a working day of mussel catchers in Tam Giang Lagoon:
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Dawn on Tam Giang Lagoon. The lagoon is a brackish water area covering the land of the three districts of Phong Dien, Quang Dien and Huong Tra in Thua Thien-Hue province. |
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Mussel catchers start a working day at 3 in the morning. |
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With glasses, a piece of zinc and a bamboo stick, these men dive in the water for many hours a day to catch mussels. |
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Batches of mussels are poured into the boat. How many batches are enough to fill up this boat? |
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The hand of a mussel catcher after many hours under water. |
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They finish their job when the boat is full of mussels. |
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| Women also work very early. |
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A relaxing moment for mussel catchers before they return home. |
Source:Vietnamnet.vn
