Nguyen Van Cuong, a resident of the town of Nha Bang, has been selling scorpions for five years and is able to catch around 100 scorpions each day. Scorpions tend to live under soft soil and fallen leaves. When their nests are touched, the scorpions will use their stinger and pincers to attack.
According to one local, An Giang once had a lot of scorpions but they have been hunted down in the last five years. Not only have scorpions become a favourite snack, to eaten with wine, it is said that they can cure back pain, rheumatism and to increase male virility.
Live scorpions are sold at VND4,000-5,000 each in Tinh Bien Market. To show off for customers, sellers often use their bare hands to gently pick up dozens of scorpions without being stung.
Traders from HCM City often come to make bulk purchases. The cost for a bottle of scorpion and snake wine ranges from VND50,000-500,000 (USD2.4-24)
Nguyen Van Cuong can dig up 100 scorpions a day
Scorpions live underground
Traders hold scorpions
Scorpions are a popular at Tinh Bien Market
Scorpion and snake wine
