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Bach Long Salt Fields - A masterpiece in the heart of Nam Dinh
Located in Bach Long commune, Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province, the Bach Long salt field covers an area of up to 230 hectares - one of the communes with the largest salt fields in the Northern region. The history of this place is closely linked to the long-standing traditional salt-making profession of the local people.
Since ancient times, before the French colonial invasion, Bach Long was a land formed by alluvial deposits from the sea, attracting people from all over to settle and establish villages. Due to its coastal location being unsuitable for rice cultivation, the people took advantage of the abundant saltwater resources to develop salt production, transforming the area into one of the most prosperous "salt granaries" in the region.
The Bach Long salt field covers an area of up to 230 hectares - one of the communes with the largest salt fields in the Northern region.
Today, more than 1,000 households in Bach Long are still preserving and developing this traditional craft. The Bach Long salt fields are not only the main source of income for local people but have also become an attractive tourist destination, drawing visitors with the unique and tranquil beauty of a Vietnamese countryside. Bach Long is also honored to be included in the list of the most beautiful salt fields in the North, captivating tourists with its brilliant sunrises and sunsets against the pristine white backdrop of the salt.
Having the opportunity to visit Bach Long commune at this time, photographer Nguyen Hong Son (currently living and working in Hanoi) spent a day experiencing life with salt farmers in the salt fields under the scorching sun.
The Bach Long salt fields are not only the main source of income for the local people...
...and has also become an attractive tourist destination, drawing visitors with the unique and tranquil beauty of Vietnamese countryside.
“While visiting the salt fields, I met a salt farmer. I asked to tour the area and experience it firsthand. The first thing I remember was her cheerful reply, ‘This job involves planting in the morning and harvesting in the afternoon, my dear.’ Despite the scorching sun, it was all thanks to her optimism, diligence, and hard work – the beautiful qualities inherent in the Vietnamese people,” Hong Son recounted.
To obtain the pure white salt crystals, the salt farmers of Bach Long have to endure countless hardships under the scorching sun. Therefore, the ideal time for tourists to visit the Bach Long salt fields is from March to August each year - the busy salt-making season for the local people.
Bach Long has the honor of being included in the list of the most beautiful salt fields in Northern Vietnam.
The ideal time for tourists to visit Bach Long salt fields is from March to August each year.
Visiting Bach Long during this time of year, tourists will be immersed in the enthusiastic working atmosphere of the salt farmers. Under the scorching sun, beads of sweat roll down their tanned faces as they diligently cultivate each salt field. The stronger the sun, the faster the salt crystallizes, making harvesting easier. At this time, the Bach Long salt fields resemble a vibrant painting with the pure white of the salt, the dark brown of the soil, and the blue of the sky.
The photographer said: "Even after returning home, I still think about the image of the salt-making people working tirelessly under the scorching sun. They worked enthusiastically, forgetting that they were standing in the intense heat to produce their product. They were happy when the sun was shining because they could only work when the sun was strong; if it rained, they couldn't do anything."
Visiting Bach Long during this time of year, tourists will be able to immerse themselves in the enthusiastic working atmosphere of the salt farmers.
The stronger the sun, the faster the salt crystallizes, making harvesting easier.
The meticulous journey to create pure white salt crystals.
To obtain the pure white salt crystals on their family dinner tables, the salt farmers of Bach Long have gone through a journey full of hardship and toil. From the early morning, before the first rays of sunlight appear, they are already present in the salt fields, working diligently under the sun until late at night.
Unlike the steam-based salt production method common in Southern and Central Vietnam, Bach Long salt is produced using a unique method of drying on sand. This special feature stems from the fact that the Giao Thuy sea area has a low salinity level, thus requiring an additional drying and sand filtering step to increase the salinity of the seawater.
Pure white salt crystals
The salt farmers of Bach Long have gone through a journey full of hardships and difficulties.
Before the first rays of sunlight even appear, they are already on the salt fields, working diligently under the sun until late at night.
From early morning, salt farmers begin by soaking sand in seawater and leveling the ground. Rectangular plots of land are created in the field, ready for the next step. The seawater-soaked sand is spread evenly on drying yards and exposed to the intense sunlight. Occasionally, salt farmers need to add more seawater to increase the salinity. After many hours of drying, the seawater evaporates, and salt crystals adhere to the surface of the sand.
Seawater from the open sea is channeled into a system that flows through smaller and larger pipes to filter out sand and sediment. Then, salt farmers use gourds to scoop brine from the larger pipes and pour it onto cement-lined drying areas. When the salt has crystallized into small white grains, the farmers collect them in rows, load them onto wheelbarrows, and transport them to the warehouse. The salt is carefully stored while awaiting buyers.
Bach Long salt is produced using a unique method of drying on sand.
This unique characteristic stems from the fact that the Giao Thuy sea area has a low salinity level, therefore an additional process of drying and filtering the sand is needed to increase the salinity of the seawater.
The process of producing Bach Long salt is not only a means of livelihood but also a beautiful cultural tradition of the local people. Each pristine white grain of salt is imbued with their sweat and dedication, contributing to the savory flavor of Vietnamese family meals.
Stepping onto the Bach Long salt fields and witnessing the sweat dripping from the salt farmers' faces under the scorching sun, Nguyen Hong Son was deeply moved. He captured every moment of their diligent work, every meticulous gesture in the salt-making process, in a truly authentic and vivid way.
The journey of producing salt in Bach Long is not only a means of livelihood but also a beautiful cultural tradition of the local people.
Savory flavors for Vietnamese family meals.
With artistic sensitivity and masterful technique, the photographer has presented viewers with stunning images that perfectly depict the arduous yet meaningful lives of the salt farmers of Bach Long. Each pure white grain of salt, created through the tireless efforts and hard work under the scorching sun by the calloused hands of these laborers, becomes more radiant and sacred than ever before through his lens.
“When I take a photo, I put my heart and soul into it and choose the right moment to shoot. I try to make the most of the focal length effects of my lens. I try to shoot slowly so that my mind remains calm, allowing me to be more creative with different angles. And finally, I always build stories into each photo to avoid boredom. Above all, I want to understand more about Vietnamese craft villages today and I always feel a sense of nostalgia when photographing them. I want to preserve the beautiful moments of craft villages and the people who work in them so that they don't fade away,” Hong Son shared.
The salt is carefully stored while waiting for traders to come and buy it.
Each pure white grain of salt is created through the tireless efforts and hard work under the scorching sun by the calloused hands of the laborers.
