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Nguyen Hai Trieu (Trieu Potorapy) - a young photographer born in 2000 from Tay Ninh, is passionate about capturing everyday moments and landscapes through an emotional and authentic lens. His visit to Man Thai fish market was an unforgettable experience, both unfamiliar and astonishing.
“Seeing a vibrant seaside fish market right in the middle of Da Nang city for the first time, I was truly overwhelmed. The feeling is hard to describe in words, and I knew I had to capture this moment with my camera,” Hai Trieu shared with Travellive.
The fishermen started the day with their first catch.
The photos were taken by Hai Trieu at dawn, around 5 a.m. – the most beautiful time of day when Man Thai market is at its busiest. In the dim light, the lights flickered on the sand, and basket boats docked, carrying fresh catches of fish, shrimp, and squid. Fishermen were cheerful, traders quickly sorted the catch, and locals flocked to buy seafood for their family meals. For the male photographer, it wasn't just a single shot, but a moment of immersion in the rhythm of coastal life.
Here, the sunrise doesn't just come from the sea, but also from the joyful eyes of the people with their first catch of the day.
Man Thai is one of two ancient fishing villages (the other being Nam O) that have survived the urbanization of Da Nang, located not far from My Khe beach or Son Tra peninsula. What's special is that amidst the hustle and bustle of the coastal city, it still retains the simple, rustic charm of an old fishing village: a market held right on the sand, shops simply set up, and friendly people who have been closely connected to the sea for generations. The seafood on display is the result of nighttime near-shore fishing trips – shrimp, squid, anchovies, mackerel, scad… familiar types of seafood, but always fresh and full of the flavor of the sea.
The men of the fishing village...
The Man Thai fish market thus becomes one of the most unique glimpses into coastal life in Da Nang, where the rhythm of traditional fishing village life still exists amidst the modern city. Visitors not only get to experience the authentic atmosphere but also have the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood just arrived, carrying the rich flavors of the Central Vietnamese sea.
Hai Trieu shared: “I noticed that many tourists visit Man Thai mainly to swim or paddleboard, but few stop to observe or explore the fish market. But actually, Man Thai market is a place worth experiencing because it is rich in fishing village culture, from daily life and livelihood customs to the strong bonds of the coastal community.”
Starting at 4 a.m. and ending as the sun rises, the market is fleeting, lasting only a few hours but brimming with the breath of life. Hai Trieu calls it "the market of light and sound," where each ray of dawn shining on the shimmering fish, each call from the boats echoing through the early morning mist, is a scene from everyday life imbued with the spirit of the sea.
The woman sat removing the fish from the shells.
As long as there's breathing, there's still hope...
Fresh seafood batches
Amidst a modern and constantly developing Da Nang, cultural gems like Man Thai Market become invaluable. More than just a place to buy and sell seafood, this market is also a space preserving memories, representing the enduring existence of a fishing village in the modern era. And through the lens of young photographer Nguyen Hai Trieu, these moments are recounted, not with nostalgia, but with a respectful and mindful perspective.
If you ever have the chance to visit Da Nang, try waking up early and heading towards Man Thai beach, where the sunrise not only appears over the sea but also illuminates everyday, simple moments that are breathtakingly beautiful.
Here are some images from Man Thai Market, Da Nang, captured through the lens of young photographer Hai Trieu:
The basket boats docked at the shore at dawn.
The round basket rolls on the waves, carrying the burden of a night adrift back home at dawn in Min Tai.
Bustling with buyers and sellers.
Vendors enthusiastically sort the produce, locals flock to choose and buy, laughter and chatter blend with the sound of the waves – all creating a simple, vibrant symphony.
As soon as dawn broke, the market was already closed.
The resilience of a fishing village in the heart of Da Nang city.
