At coastal markets in Da Nang City and Ha Tinh Province, throngs of fishermen and fishmongers ply their trade as the Lunar New Year draws near. 

Days before Tet (Lunar New Year holiday), which peaks on Feb. 12, fishing vessels of various sizes return from Ha Tinh Province’s fishing waters to Cua Sot Port in Loc Ha District, each carrying a full load of fresh seafood.

Since the beginning of February, around 40 boats enter Cua Sot Port each day holding an average 200 to 400 kilograms of catch each.

The market, at its most bustling near Tet, commences trade at 4 a.m. and usually ends by 7 a.m.

Hundreds of refrigerator vans, trucks and motorbikes operated by wholesalers pick up seafood here to distribute to smaller markets within the province or to the northern region.

Red snapper, anchovies, Indian mackerel, shrimp or mantis shrimp are popular commodities here.

Pandemic information is broadcast via public speakers in 10-minute intervals, warning people to wear masks and have their body temperatures taken at the port.

Nguyen Van Sang, 57, from Loc Ha District, Ha Tinh Province displays his purchase of fresh Indian mackerel with a broad smile.

"Fish is in high demand at Tet. I managed to buy more than 100 kilograms of mackerel to sell to wholesalers. Each kilogram brings me VND5,000 ($0.22) of profit," Sang said.

According to the board of Ha Tinh fish port managers, a fishing crew of five to seven members could earn VND7-9 million ($306-393) per trip.

At around the same time in Son Tra District of Da Nang City, the market at Tho Quang fish port is no less busy. The day market starts at 12 p.m. and stops at 5 p.m.

Major purchasers of fish are seafood processing companies. Thanks to the favorable weather this year, fishermen get to enjoy the bounty of the sea, especially tuna.

However, the pandemic has shot down prices. Captain Le Minh Tuan, 34, said his 10 tons of tuna after one week offshore now sold for only VND200,000 ($8.7) per kilogram, half last year's price.

Big fish are crammed into ice boxes to be distributed in the vicinity.

"Big fish sales are even worse since most seafood restaurants in Da Nang are largely empty," wholesaler Dang Thi Trien, 72, said.

Hectic Tho Quang market peaks between midnight and 6 a.m.

A fresh fish should have an overall shiny appearance with clear eyes.

Live fish are put in tanks or basins with air pumps, ready to be shipped to restaurants.

Deals are quickly settled while fish are fresh. Many locals frequent the market to buy ingredients for their Tet spread.

Vietnam has recorded 422 domestic Covid-19 cases in 12 cities and provinces since its latest outbreak began on Jan. 28. Da Nang and Ha Tinh Province are yet to report any cases.