In the days leading up to the 2026 Lunar New Year, the working atmosphere buzzes more vibrantly than ever at boat repair yards in Ca Na commune and across Khanh Hoa’s southern coast. The sounds of saws and hammers striking hulls echo from dawn till dusk. Dozens, even hundreds, of boats of all sizes crowd the slips, awaiting refurbishment after a long year at sea.
Ca Na commune alone has nearly a hundred fishing boats undergoing maintenance, many with engines ranging from 300 to 800 horsepower (HP). Each vessel represents a livelihood, a family fortune entrusted to the open sea.
Repairs vary depending on the toll taken by long voyages in harsh marine conditions. The most common include reinforcing hulls, repainting exteriors, engine servicing, electrical system replacement, upgrading crew quarters, and fitting new fishing gear. Every step is carried out meticulously to ensure seaworthiness, compliance with international safety standards, and structural integrity.
After a year battling wind and waves, the maintenance, repair, and repainting of ships has become a familiar ritual—welcoming the Lunar New Year (Tet) and embodying fishermen’s hopes for a prosperous new sea season.
Fresh paintwork is a priority, symbolising prayers for favourable voyages, abundant catches and steady income.
With over a decade in the trade, Phan Ngoc Binh, owner of a repair yard in Ca Na commune, explained that this is the busiest time of year. “After a year at sea, every boat shows wear. Owners seize the end of the year for comprehensive repairs and upgrades, preparing as best they can for the new season. Some need minor fixes, others almost a complete rebuild,” he said.
As Tet approaches, boat builders, mechanics and electricians work with scarcely a day off. From dawn until late evening, they race against time. Daily earnings hover around 600,000 VND per person, depending on skill and experience. It is demanding work, but peak season brings substantial income to many coastal labourers.
Phan Ngoc Nui, a repairman in Thuan Nam commune, shared: “Pre-Tet days with steady work and about 600,000 VND a day are stable enough. Depending on the damage, repairs take one to two weeks. Once the season ends and boats head out again, we look for other jobs.”
For boat owners, maintenance and repainting ensure not only technical safety but also embody hopes for a year of favourable weather and plentiful catches. Even when hiring skilled workers, many owners pitch in with simpler tasks such as sanding hulls, painting, or cleaning holds — saving costs while personally readying gear for the first voyage of the year.
Amid the bustle, boats gradually don vibrant new coats of paint. Fresh national flags are hoisted proudly at the bow, standing out against the blue sea and sky. More than identification, they serve as symbols of pride and spiritual anchors, instilling confidence for the journeys ahead.
Hauling boats onto slips for maintenance and repainting to welcome Tet has become an annual ritual, deeply woven into the lives of coastal fishermen each spring. In the year-end rush, the polished vessels embody expectations of calm seas, full holds, sustained livelihoods and renewed vitality for the coastal communities.
