Coracles off Vietnam coast

Other than tourism, fishing is a major industry in Vietnam and as you move on the shores off the coast, a round woven bamboo boat is likely to catch your eye. Scores of such boats can be seen in the waters, or being carried across by the fisher folk after a day’s catch. To some, it may be a mode for catching fish in the seas, others may use it as a transport to move across some of the water bodies within the city.  

    

For a war ravaged Country, Bamboo is a cheap and readily available raw material for construction. And then there is not much of labor expense involved in construction compared to building the more sturdy fishing trawlers. A thin layer of varnish or coconut oil is applied for water proofing. When maneuvered by a skilled person, they hardly disturb the water or the fish, and they can be easily navigated with one arm, while the other arm tends to the net. The structure has a flat bottom to evenly spread the weight of the boat and its load across the structure and to reduce the required depth of water making it ideal for use on rivers. 

A major advantage is its resistance to the various hazards of the coast and for a boat operating in shallow water or through surf; the basketry is very flexible which can sustain shocks or dents. But then the concept of sitting on the Water surface than being within it can be a hazard and they sometimes get carried away by a strong current, though they do make a strange sight in the swirling currents, playing with the waves as they go about some serious business

Coracles harbored on a small river within the city

The Days Catch