A hardworking day of mini clam diggers along Thanh Hoa beach

In the early days of summer, fishing activity begins before sunrise along Sam Son beach, as local residents head out to harvest mini clams - a traditional livelihood tied to the coastal community for generations.

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Mini clam is a small type of shellfish that lives buried beneath the sand along coastal tidal flats. Harvesting the shellfish requires no large boats or complex equipment, only a metal rake, sacks and physical labour. However, the work demands endurance and persistence, as fishermen often spend long hours pulling heavy rakes across hot sandy beaches.

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Local fishermen typically work in two shifts each day. The morning shift begins around 5 a.m., when the tide recedes and exposes wide stretches of sand - the most favourable time for harvesting mini clams. They continue working until around 11 a.m., when temperatures rise and seawater gradually returns. After a short break, many return to the beach in the early afternoon, working from about 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., as the sunlight softens and the sun slowly sets over the sea.

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Day after day, the rhythm of work continues steadily regardless of the weather. For local fishermen, each trip to the beach represents another opportunity to earn an income and support their families.

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One of the unique aspects of mini clam harvesting is that the work is not limited by age or gender. Along the beach, it is common to see both men and women, from strong young workers to middle-aged residents and even elderly people, patiently continuing the physically demanding job.

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Some pull the metal rakes, others gather the mini clams or tie up the sacks, together forming a familiar and steady rhythm of coastal labour.

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After each round of harvesting, the mini clams are collected into large sacks. Though the work may appear simple, it requires considerable endurance, as workers must continuously bend down, pull heavy rakes and move across soft, sinking sand. Many fishermen say the job demands not only physical strength but also familiarity with the sea and tidal patterns in order to achieve a good catch.

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The daily catch of mini clams typically ranges from around 200 to 400 kilograms per person, depending on the season, tidal conditions and the density of shellfish beneath the sand. On particularly productive days, fishermen can harvest even larger amounts and earn relatively good incomes. However, during periods when mini clams are scarce, the work becomes far more demanding while earnings decline significantly.

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The current market price for mini clams ranges from approximately VND350,000 to VND400,000 per 100 kilograms, depending on size and quality. Larger clams with more uniform shells and less sand residue are typically purchased at higher prices.

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At these prices, harvesters can earn several hundred thousand Vietnamese dong per day, or even more during productive seasons. For many coastal households, the work provides an important source of income to cover daily living expenses.

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Although mini clam harvesting depends heavily on tides and weather conditions, the work rarely stops. Whether under intense heat or persistent rain, local fishermen continue heading to the beach to earn a living. For them, every day on the tidal flats is another opportunity to support their families.

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Along the beach, one of the most familiar sights is people wearing traditional hats and walking barefoot across wet sand, their backs bent slightly forward as they pull the rakes in steady rhythm.

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The buying and selling of mini clams take place directly on the beach. After fishermen collect the shellfish into sacks, local traders arrive at the shore to weigh and purchase the catch on site. Without the need for long-distance transportation or multiple intermediaries, transactions are carried out quickly and conveniently for both sellers and buyers.

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After being purchased, the sacks of mini clams are transported to local markets or sent for processing. In this way, a small but steady coastal economy continues operating along the beach, creating jobs not only for harvesters but also for traders and transport workers.

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Amid the rapid modernisation of Sam Son, the quiet work of harvesting mini clams continues preserving part of the region’s traditional coastal identity - a reminder of communities that still follow the tides each day to make a living from the sea.