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. Coming to Man Thai fish market, he had an unforgettable experience, both strange and surprising.
“The first time I witnessed a bustling coastal fish market right in the middle of Da Nang city, I was truly overwhelmed. The feeling is hard to describe in words and I knew for sure that I had to capture this moment through my lens,” Hai Trieu shared with Travellive.
The fishing villagers "opened the session" with the first catch of fish of the day.
The photo series was taken by Hai Trieu at dawn around 5am – the most beautiful moment of the day when Man Thai market is at its busiest. In the dim light, the lights shimmering on the sand, each basket boat arrives at the shore carrying fresh catch of fish, shrimp, squid… The fishermen are excited, the traders quickly sort, the locals flock to choose seafood for their family meals. For the male photographer, it is not just a moment of pressing the shutter but a moment to immerse himself in the rhythm of coastal life.
Here, dawn rises not only from the sea, but also from the excited eyes of people with their first catch of the day.
Man Thai is one of two ancient fishing villages (the other is Nam O) remaining after the urbanization of Da Nang, not far from My Khe beach or Son Tra peninsula. What is special is that amidst the hustle and bustle and development of the coastal city, this place still retains the simple, rustic features of an ancient fishing village: the market is held right on the sand, the shops are simply arranged, the people are gentle and have been attached to the sea for generations. The seafood for sale is the result of nighttime fishing trips near the shore such as shrimp, squid, anchovies, mackerel, silver pomfret... familiar types but always fresh and full of the taste of the sea.
The men of the fishing village...
Man Thai fish market has thus become one of the most unique slices of coastal life in Da Nang, where the rhythm of traditional fishing village life still exists in the middle of the modern city. Visitors who come here not only experience the authentic atmosphere but also have the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood that has just arrived, with the rich flavor of the Central sea.
Hai Trieu shared: “I noticed that many tourists visit Man Thai mainly to swim or SUP, but few people stop to observe or explore the fish market. But in fact, Man Thai market is a place worth visiting for tourists to experience because of the strong fishing village culture from daily life, livelihood customs to the strong connection of the coastal community."
Starting at 4am and ending when the sun has just risen high, the market lasts for a few hours but is full of the breath of life. Hai Trieu calls this “the market of light and sound”, when each ray of dawn shines on the sparkling fish surface, each boat call echoes in the early morning mist, all are everyday scenes filled with the breath of the sea.
Woman sitting removing fish
As long as there is breath, there is hope...
Fresh seafood
In the midst of a modern and constantly developing Da Nang, cultural slices like Man Thai become precious. Not only a place to buy and sell seafood, this market is also a space to preserve memories, the enduring existence of a fishing village in the new era. And through the lens of young photographers like Nguyen Hai Trieu, those moments are recounted, not with nostalgia, but with a respectful and mindful look.
If you have the opportunity to visit Da Nang, try waking up early and heading towards Man Thai beach, where the dawn not only appears on the sea, but also shines brightly in everyday, simple, and heartbreakingly beautiful moments.
Some photos at Man Thai market, Da Nang through the lens of young photographer Hai Trieu:
The basket boats arrive at dawn
The round basket rolled on the waves, carrying the whole night drifting back to the middle of dawn in Man Thai.
Bustling with buyers and sellers
Merchants enthusiastically classify, people flock to choose and buy, voices and laughter blend with the sound of waves - all create a rustic, vibrant symphony.
The market has just finished its session.
The persistence of a fishing village in the heart of Da Nang city
