Tham, a fishmonger at My Phu Market in Cao Lanh, Dong Thap province, said baby ca linh, about the size of a chopstick tip, appeared 10 days ago, initially fetching a high price of 300,000-350,000 VND per kg.
A few days ago, the price quickly dropped to 200,000 VND due to increased supply.
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Vendors at My Phu Market clean baby ca linh, selling for 200,000 VND per kg. Photo: Ngoc Tai |
Vendors at My Phu Market clean baby ca linh, selling for 200,000 VND per kg. Photo: Ngoc Tai
"This year, the price of ca linh has dropped rapidly. Currently, I buy 5-7 kg daily," Tham said, explaining that the time-consuming cleaning process discourages her from buying more.
Nearby, Huong also sells ca linh at the same price of 200,000 VND per kg. She confirms it's 100% wild-caught. About 10 days ago, she couldn't guarantee the source, as some might be farmed. "Farmed ca linh are larger, uniform in size, and not as tasty," she added.
Beyond traditional markets, baby ca linh is also sold online. Tuan, from Thuong Phuoc commune (formerly Hong Ngu district) in Dong Thap province, specializes in selling wild-caught fish. He noted that wild ca linh has only been available for about a week.
He delivers to customers in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and other urban areas in the Mekong Delta and the southeast region. "Early-season baby ca linh has soft bones, sweet, and fatty meat. It's delicious in sour soup, or simmered and served with wild vegetables like dien dien, water lily stems, and water spinach," he shared.
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Cleaned baby ca linh, priced lower than in previous years. Photo: Ngoc Tai |
Cleaned baby ca linh, priced lower than in previous years. Photo: Ngoc Tai
The Mekong Delta's flood season typically begins in early July of the lunar calendar and lasts until October, corresponding to August-November. The flood, a defining feature of the region, cleanses and fertilizes the fields, controls weeds and rodents.
The floodwaters also bring seasonal delicacies like ca linh, field crabs, eels, snakes, water lilies, and dien dien. Locals harvest these to supplement their income during the farming off-season.
Ngoc Tai
