Ninh Binh Salt Workers' Experience Attracts Tourists

In Ninh Binh Province, approximately 130 km from Hanoi, the Bach Long salt fields offer visitors a traditional salt-making experience. Photographer Khanh Phan visited the area on the early morning of July 24th to immerse herself in the daily work of the salt farmers. Due to heavy rain the previous night, the salt fields were flooded. In the early morning, some individuals were seen clearing accumulated fresh water from the fields. The salt workers explained that "salt can only be made when the sun shines," and they waited for the strong afternoon sun. As the sun grew intense around 3 PM, more people gathered at the salt fields. They raked and leveled the sand, then poured saltwater onto the fields for salt crystallization. This process requires experience, meticulousness, physical strength, and favorable weather. A sudden rain shower can undo the hard work of the salt farmers. According to the Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Center, Bach Long village produces salt using a sand-drying method. Locals spread a thin layer of sand, regularly sprinkle seawater, and wait for the sun to evaporate the water, allowing salt crystals to form on the sand. They then rake the sand, wash it, and dry it further to obtain clean salt. The harvested salt is collected in baskets and loaded onto wheelbarrows to be transported to sheds. The salt-making season typically runs from March to August, a period with many intensely sunny days. Currently, Bach Long has over 60 hectares dedicated to salt production, yielding nearly 10,000 tons annually. Many households have joined the clean salt production chain adhering to OCOP standards. Standing on the salt fields under the scorching sun and humid air, Khanh sometimes felt suffocated. However, she noted, "It's thanks to this intense sun that the salt emerges quickly and in large quantities." After the pandemic, Bach Long salt village began developing a model that combines salt production with experiential tourism. Visitors can transform into salt workers and participate in all stages of salt making, from spreading sand and sprinkling seawater to raking the salt, according to the Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Center. Shortly after the water was poured, salt crystals gradually appeared, making the field shimmer white. Once the field was fully crystallized, the salt workers quickly raked the salt for harvest. Khanh observed that for each sao (a unit of land area), the workers could rake about two wheelbarrows of salt, equivalent to several dozen kilograms. She also mentioned that the majority of the salt workers are middle-aged and older. Besides experiencing the peaceful rural atmosphere characteristic of Northern Vietnam, Khanh was impressed by the sincerity, diligence, and friendliness of the people of Bach Long. Some salt workers even offered to give her salt as a souvenir. Source: VnExpress