Rhythm of Life at Ben Nom

Though just a small fishing dock by Tri An Lake, Ben Nom (located in Thong Nhat Commune, formerly part of Phu Cuong Commune, Dinh Quan District) has long been a bustling hub where buyers and sellers gather to trade the lake’s aquatic bounty.

Through the lens of a photographer, Ben Nom reveals a uniquely captivating beauty—simple yet full of life.

Ben Nom has been around for several decades. It began as a modest fish market, but thanks to its favorable location and terrain, more and more fishermen have gathered here over the years. The market has since grown increasingly lively, becoming a vital source of livelihood for hundreds of families who live and work around the dock.

Under the late afternoon sun, striking patches of color begin to emerge — the shimmering hue of the lake’s surface, the winding streams, the earthy tones of soil, and the soft greens of grass and trees.

From the vast expanse of the lake, fishermen haul in a wide variety of fish—ranging from carp and silver carp to needlefish, goby, shrimp, and clams. All are considered local specialties of Tri An Lake.

A steaming pot of clams…

During the flood season, the dock lies close to the hamlet. But in the dry season, as the water recedes, the lake pulls away into the distance, and the fishing boats follow the shifting waterline — sometimes near, sometimes far.

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