 Hoa My “squatting ghost market” in Hau Giang market (Photo: Tan Phong) |
Hau Giang province is a low-land area in the Mekong Delta, of which Phung Hiep is the lowest part. Its rivers and fields are considered home to the most fish. The flood season began about two months ago and now all fields are inundated. It’s the time for the residents to drift on boats on the watery, muddy fields to catch aquatic products to sell at the Hoa My "squatting ghost” market.
At around midnight, the tranquil atmosphere is awakened by some traders coming to the wharf by land and by boats. They come to sell the aquatic products they caught on many rivers, canals, and springs. Then more boats come and occupy the water surface, while the shore is crowded with sellers and buyers bargaining.
In Hoa My market there are often about 20 traders, sometimes 40 and up to hundreds of traders. Dang Van Giang, a resident of Hoa An commune, said: “This year the water rises higher than previous years. Normally I catch about 3 or 4 kg of snakehead fish and anabas a night. Today I got a big catch of about 7 kg of snakehead fish and sold them for more than 30 USD.”
 Farmers sell whatever they catch in the flood season. (Photo: Tan Phong) |
On a strip of land of about 300 m by the river, there are neither shops nor public lights. Traders transact business under the light of flashlights in their hands or on their hats.They sell whatever they catch such as snakehead fish, catfish, perch, eel, and shrimp and flood-season vegetables such as water mimosa and water lily. Once the prices are agreed upon, the goods are quickly transported by motorbikes to markets in Can Tho city, Vinh Long, and Soc Trang province.
Trader Le Thi Loan said: “I wake up at midnight and go to the market. I buy wholesale everything from fish to frogs and shrimps. In the high-water season, the prices are quite low. Then I bring what I have just bought to a market in Can Tho city to sell them.”
It’s estimated that about 4 tons of aquatic products, or up to 7 tons on some days, are sold here every night. Lam Thi Chien, who has been trading here for 30 years, said: “There are not much fish. I can only buy about 50-60kg of snakehead fish, catfish, and eel. The prices range from 4.5 to 4 USD per kg.”
After selling all their catch to traders, the farmers gather at food shops and cafes by the river. They share the joy of a good catch and fishing experience. After a short break, they quickly return to their boats to begin a new day.