Kien Giang: Phu Quoc island bustling in sardine season
Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang is in the thick of its late-year sardine season. Each night, as darkness lingers, local fishermen set out on their coracles to cast nets in the open sea. By sunrise, they return to shore with hundreds of kilograms of fresh sardines, reaping the sea’s seasonal bounty.
According to Phu Quoc’s fishermen, the annual sardine migration begins around the lunar month of September, driven by strong southwestern monsoon winds. This is also when the sardines are at their best—plump, firm, sweet, and fragrant. The abundant catch during this period means prices are relatively affordable.
Veteran sardine fishers from Phu Quoc describe their routine: heading out to sea around 2 or 3 a.m., when the waters are calm and schools of sardines are easier to locate.
By the time the first light breaks, they steer their coracles back to shore, often with several hundred kilograms of fish. If lucky enough to encounter a large school, they might haul in a ton of fish in just a few hours.
Currently, fresh sardines on Phu Quoc are sold from 15,000 to 40,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the day’s catch. Yet, no matter the quantity, the sardines are eagerly bought up by traders.
VFM
