Southern salt workers earn their living under heat spells

Bac Lieu has the largest salt producing area in the Mekong Delta, with 2,668 ha. These days, though it is scorching hot, salt workers still wish to have higher temperature so salt will crystallize more quickly.

According to the local agriculture officials, this year salt workers can harvestL120,000-150,000 tons of salt, averaging 9-12 tons per hectare.
Salt workers use this tool, called “cau” to separate salt.

One of the heaviest tasks is pulling the “cau”.


A “cau” is very heavy and only strong men can pull it under the sun.

Salt is gathered into piles.
And being put into baskets to transport to warehouses.


Each salt basket weighs 30-40 kg.
Transporting salt to warehouses is the hardest stage. Salt workers still transport salt by carrying baskets on their shoulders.


Salt porters earn VND200,000-300,000/day ($10-15).
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Hai district, the largest salt field in Bac Lieu, the salt purchase price is currently at VND35,000/30kg of white salt and VND18,000-20,000/30kg of black salt. At this price, salt workers can earn profit of VND15-20 million/ha.


High temperature will yield beautiful grains of salt.
Most of the salt workers are men.