Workers toil in large salt field in Nam Dinh

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In Hai Ly commune, Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province, visitors are greeted by long lines of salt farmers moving rhythmically across sun-soaked fields, their silhouettes framed by iconic conical hats as they quietly gather freshly crystallized salt.

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Salt making in Nam Dinh is seasonal as it is active only during the intense summer months from June to August. As the seasons shift, so too do the livelihoods of the salt workers.

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For many generations, salt production has been a staple of life for residents in the coastal areas of Nam Dinh province.

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For salt makers, the day begins before sunrise. As the midday sun scorches the land, salt farmers continue their labour, relying on the heat to draw salt from the sea.

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Salt making is a laborious, weather-dependent process that demands resilience, precision, and patience from its workers.

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Seawater is pumped into wide, shallow fields and left under the open sky. Slowly, the sun begins its work, evaporating the water and leaving salt behind.

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The more sunlight the fields receive, the quicker the evaporation process and the more efficient the salt harvest becomes.

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Sand is first submerged in seawater, then transferred to a clay yard where it is left to dry for two to three hours. Once dried, it yields a modest amount of salt.

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After nearly 10 hours of exposure, seawater evaporates entirely, leaving behind fine, white crystals of salt, it is ready to be collected.

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Amid the hard work, moments of rest offer a glimpse into the camaraderie of the salt workers, who smile and chat while waiting for the salt to form.

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The work stretches from dawn until late afternoon, with little reprieve under the relentless sun.

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Despite grueling conditions, salt making remains the primary source of income for many families, fueling their determination to endure the hardships.

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Most of the salt farmers are middle-aged women. To shield themselves from the harsh sun and heat, they wear full protective clothing, including long sleeves, gloves, facemasks, and the ever-present conical hat.

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Next to the fields, families build straw-roofed warehouses to store harvested salt, an essential step before selling to traders and transporting it to market.