When the countryside was still immersed in sleep, in the coastal area of Canh Duong, Hoa Trach commune, Quang Tri province, boat lights were faintly visible offshore and loud calls were heard on the long sandy beach. The dawn had not yet risen, but the rhythm of life of the coastal village had begun with boat trips full of fish and shrimp returning after a night of waves.
The early morning sea market appears rustic and familiar. On the sand still imbued with mist, the women of the fishing village are busy choosing fish, shrimp fertilizer, carrying goods all over the rural markets. Small shoulders bearing the burden of making a living, sunburned hands soaked in the saltiness of the sea, but their eyes still shine with hope for a new day fuller.
Coastal women are not used to saying flowery words. Their whole lives are associated with high tides, with stormy sea seasons, with constant worries every time boats go out to sea and encounter big waves and strong winds. They are silent like their own homeland sea, simple, patient and tolerant.
There are hairs that have not yet turned green but have faded into mist and wind. There are footsteps imprinted on the sand from dawn to late afternoon. But amidst all the hardships, they still maintain their gentle smiles and the simple human love of their homeland's sea.
Canh Duong early market is not only a place to exchange seafood, but also a place to preserve the rhythm of life, culture and soul of a coastal fishing village. There are the joyful laughter of people after a bumper sea trip, there is sincere sharing among people who live by the sea all year round.
Each basket, each pair of carrying poles, each early market session all contain so many drops of sweat and deep love for the homeland.
Amidst the modern pace of life changing day by day, coastal markets still silently exist as a simple and indispensable beauty of Hoa Trach homeland. It is not only a livelihood, but also a memory, a breath, and the soul of the beloved white sand region.
Sunrise on the coast of Canh Duong is beautiful not only because of the color of the sky or the sound of waves, but also beautiful because of the hardworking people who are diligently writing the story of making a living with all their love for the homeland's sea every day.
