sampans

Flat-bottomed Asian craft

Sampans are small, flat-bottomed boats used in East and Southeast Asia, traditionally propelled by a single oar at the stern or by poles in shallow water.

They serve as fishing vessels, ferries, and sometimes floating homes in harbors and rivers throughout China, Vietnam, and neighboring regions.

The name comes from Chinese words meaning "three planks," describing their simple construction.

Sampans crowded the harbor, their owners selling fresh catch to passersby.

river

Mekong

Major Southeast Asian river

YangtzeChina's mightiest waterway
PearlGemstone-inspired feminine name
deltaSymbol denoting variation

canal · waterway · tributary · estuary · harbor · wharf · pier · dock · anchorage · floating

vessel

junk

Worthless discarded items

skiffSmall, light rowing boat
dinghySmall auxiliary watercraft
rowboatOar-propelled small vessel

canoe · gondola · coracle · raft · barge · houseboat · punt · flatboat · riverboat · oar

culture

Vietnam

Southeast Asian coastal nation

ChinaEast Asian superpower
Hong KongChinese special administrative region
GuangzhouSouthern Chinese trading hub

Hanoi · Saigon · boat people · heritage · traditional · conical hat · lantern · waterborne · dwelling · family

trade

cargo

Transported goods

freightGoods being transported
goodsThings for sale
merchantOne who sells wares

vendor · floating market · commerce · transport · ferrying · passengers · hawker · peddler · provisions · barter

fishing

nets

Mesh devices for catching

catchSeize or snag
seafoodMarine creatures as cuisine
trawlingNet-dragging fishing method

fisherman · harvest · hooks · lines · traps · prawns · crab · fish · casting · haul

sampans

Mekong

junk

Vietnam

cargo

nets

sampans

Opposites

Categories

Family