The Green Dầm Fish, with its regal reputation, is an elusive creature native to the majestic rivers of Vietnam’s northern region, including the Hồng and Thái Bình river systems and their tributaries. The Green Dầm Fish of the Đà River has long been renowned across the nation.
Renowned writer Nguyễn Tuân, in his essay “The Đà River Boatman,” vividly portrays the fish as “a school of silver-bellied Green Dầm Fish leaping out of the river, their bellies shimmering like falling silver ingots.” This evocative description captures the fish’s robust and agile nature. Feeding on organic detritus, algae, and small invertebrates, the Green Dầm Fish boasts meat that is naturally flavorful and pure.
The Green Dầm Fish is a prized catch for connoisseurs of fine cuisine due to its superior biological attributes. Devoted foodies will go to great lengths, even venturing to remote upstream locations, to procure freshly caught Green Dầm Fish directly from fishermen. What sets this fish apart is the consistent sweetness and tenderness of its meat, regardless of its size or age. This unique trait distinguishes it from other fish species, whose meat quality often peaks at specific life stages.
Not only is the meat delectable, but it is also highly nutritious, rich in protein, calcium, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins. Additionally, the fish’s bones and roe are remarkably tender, buttery, and devoid of any unpleasant fishy odor. This versatility allows for a myriad of culinary preparations, including salads, hot pots, porridge, grilled, steamed, or braised dishes, each showcasing the distinct flavor of the Green Dầm Fish.
However, capturing the Green Dầm Fish is no easy feat. These fish possess incredible strength, capable of tearing through nets. Fishermen must use specialized nets and act swiftly to bring their catch ashore to prevent escape. During the spawning season, the fish seek refuge in rocky crevices to lay their eggs, further challenging their capture.
In Hòa Bình, the price of Green Dầm Fish ranges from 250,000 to 350,000 VND per kilogram, depending on size and season. Larger fish, weighing between 2.5 and 3 kilograms, fetch prices between 250,000 and 300,000 VND per kilogram. As a coveted delicacy, the Green Dầm Fish often commands a higher price due to limited supply.
Overexploitation has led to a decline in wild populations of Green Dầm Fish. To address this concern, innovative farming methods have been developed, with the community of Vạn Mai in Mai Châu, Hòa Bình, taking the lead. The region’s geography and water sources provide ideal conditions for cultivating this fish, which thrives in clean, flowing water. Notably, farmed Green Dầm Fish are fed a natural diet of grass, cassava leaves, banana leaves, and rice roots, ensuring the same exceptional flavor and quality as their wild counterparts.
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