Over recent days following Tet breaks, the bustling ambience created by trading in tiny shrimps has been seen on a beach at the foot of Da Nang-based Son Tra Peninsula, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District as many inshore fishmen have netted a bumper catch of tiny shrimps.

Traders gathering at the beach to wait to buy tiny shrimps before dawn

This species of shrimp, scientifically known as acetes, is a smaller version of shrimp resembling krill found in the Pacific and off the South American coast. The crustaceans measure between 10 and 40 mm.

At around 5.00pm every day, fishermen make an inshore fishing trip, and return to shore with a bumper catch of tiny shrimps in the early morning of the following day, at around 4.00am.

The tiny shrimp catching season usually starts from the 10^th to late 3^rd lunar months. However, Da Nang fishermen begin to enjoy bumper tiny shrimp catches after Tet breaks.

A makeshift shrimp market is set up daily at the beach, attracting hundreds of traders across Da Nang.

When each new batch of shrimp arrives, traders gather to check the quality, freshness and size and then bargain with fishermen.

Fresh shrimp are distinguished by their translucent but vibrant hue, and fetch higher prices. Dead shrimps have a fainter colour, are cheaper, and they are typically used to make shrimp paste.

Prime quality and freshly-caught tiny shrimps are sold on beach at the prices ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 VND per kilo, whilst the prices of those caught from the previous afternoon for making fermented shrimp paste range from 15,000-20,000 VND per kilo.

On average, each fishing boat collects about 400-500 kg of tiny shrimp/ trip. After deducting all kinds of expenses, each fisherman can earn about 1 million VND / day from bountiful catches.

Tiny shrimps freshly caught from the sea and stored in large plastic basket for sale to seafood traders

Freshly caught tiny shrimps ready to be transported to traditional markets across Da Nang for sale

The tiny shrimp catching season usually starts from the 10th to late 3rd lunar months. However, Da Nang fishermen begin to enjoy bumper catches of tiny shrimps after Tet breaks

Fresh, delicious, cheap tiny shrimp is much favoured by many people, becoming a familiar ingredients to make simple yet attractive dishes in the daily meal, including fried and roasted tiny shrimp and mixed salad.

Traders rushing to carry freshly-caught tiny shrimp to traditional markets across Da Nang

Inshore fishermen enjoyed bumper tiny shrimp catches

A fishing boat can collect up to one tonne of tiny shrimps per trip

By XUAN SON- Translated by A.T