Bustling linh fish market, frog fishing season, crab trap setting in the middle of flooded fields in the West

On August 12, Tuoi Tre Online recorded that in the fields of Thuong Phuoc commune, Dong Thap province, many fields were flooded. Since early morning, people have been going to the fields to pour straw and spread nets. Boats and sampans moving across the fields create a joyful scene in the flooded fields of the West.

Ms. Pham Thi Be, a resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, said that the freshwater fish market "meets" twice a day, at dawn and at noon. People pour out the nets and select seafood to sell to traders who bring them to the market. After that, the "bait fish" will be weighed in buckets to make freshwater fish sauce and linh fish sauce.

"It's just the beginning of the season so the price of freshwater fish such as silver carp, snakehead fish, perch, crab... is high, ranging from 30,000 - 80,000 VND/kg when weighed directly for traders. Linh fish alone costs 40,000 - 50,000 VND/kg, while fish preserved in fish sauce costs lower," said Ms. Be.

Meanwhile, on the flood-prevention embankment, many "anglers" are on duty fishing for frogs, catching 2-3kg each session. Fishing for frogs is both entertaining and provides ingredients to make delicious dishes for family meals or to sell, generating extra income. Along the canals in the fields, people set traps for crabs, a specialty that sells for a fairly high price.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Em, a resident of Thuong Phuoc Commune, said that catching frogs is quite simple, just need a fishing rod, hookless fishing line, and use golden apple snails or frog meat as bait. Usually, there are many frogs hiding and looking for food on the banks of dykes and dense canals.

"Fishing for frogs also requires its own "skills", you have to be quick. When the frog eats the bait, the "angler" must jerk the line firmly and quickly catch the frog, if slow the frog will release the bait and jump away.

"Every day I catch 2-3kg in one session. If I catch all day I will catch more, sometimes even up to 10kg. Traders buy on the spot for 80,000 VND to 120,000 VND/kg of frogs depending on the size," said Mr. Viet Em.

Mr. Bui Van Du, a resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, said he has been making crab traps for many years, with about 150 traps each day that can catch about 5kg of crabs. The crab traps are mainly placed in flooded fields and canals.

"Because it is the beginning of the flood season, the amount of field crabs is not much, but in return, the selling price is still quite high, helping the fishermen have more income. In addition to the traditional method of setting traps, field crabs are also caught by placing nets, the amount of catch has doubled. Currently, the price of crabs is about 50,000 VND/kg, the crab legs alone fluctuate from 130,000 - 300,000 VND/kg," said Mr. Du.

According to the Dong Thap Province Hydrometeorological Station, during the week, water levels in places in the province were about 0.2m higher than the same period in 2024. The actual water level measured at Hong Ngu station was 2.32m highest, 10cm higher than the same period.

The highest daily water level in the upstream and inland areas changes slowly in the first half of the week, then rises rapidly in the second half of the week. The water level in the downstream area gradually decreases until mid-week, then rises rapidly until the end of the week.