During peak season, red carp are given oxygen before their journey of hundreds of kilometers.

The people of Thuy Tram red carp village (Tien Luong commune, Phu Tho province) are busy catching and scooping red carp from ponds into tanks, preparing to supply markets in many provinces and cities during the Tet Ong Cong, Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival.

VietNamNet•07/02/2026

Every year, as the Tet Ong Cong - Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival approaches, Thuy Tram village - the largest red carp fishing village in Northern Vietnam, located in Tien Luong commune, Phu Tho province - becomes bustling with activity as people throughout the country pull nets and drain ponds to harvest fish, supplying them with fish for release into the wild.

Thuy Tram village has long been known as one of the largest

Thuy Tram village has long been known as one of the largest "capitals" of red carp farming in Northern Vietnam, with a history of formation and development spanning over 60 years (since the 1960s). Over time, from its initial small-scale operations, red carp farming has increasingly developed, becoming a traditional occupation closely linked to the lives and livelihoods of the local people.

The total area for raising red carp in Thuy Tram village is approximately 100 hectares, with an annual production of about 35 tons. The village has about 300 households involved in red carp farming, employing over 1,000 direct laborers. As of February 5th, just five days before the Tet Ong Cong Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival, the villagers of Thuy Tram had already begun draining ponds and transferring fish into tanks, preparing for sale to other localities.

Locals say that currently, one kilogram of red carp costs 100,000-120,000 VND, a decrease of 20,000 VND compared to last year.

Locals say that currently, one kilogram of red carp costs 100,000-120,000 VND, a decrease of 20,000 VND compared to last year. "This year, my family raised fish in two ponds, expecting to sell over 400 kg of red carp during the Tet Ong Cong - Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival, but due to the floods this year, we suffered significant losses. In addition, the price of fish has dropped, so our income is not as good as in previous years. These fish will be sold to regular customers in the North," said Mr. Ha Cong Vu.

“Raising red carp is not just about profit, but also about preserving the craft. I will continue my parents' profession because it is both a village tradition and provides a stable income every Tet holiday,” shared Mr. Ha Cong Hai (son of Mr. Vu).

To avoid health risks, the locals have equipped themselves with boots to wade through the mud while harvesting fish.

After being removed from the pond, the red carp are placed in cement tanks, oxygenated, and the water is changed continuously. This helps the fish increase their resilience, adapt to the new environment, and prepare them for transport hundreds of kilometers to serve people in provinces and cities across the country.

Fish fry are usually released into the ponds around the 6th lunar month and, after several months of care, reach a size equivalent to three fingers before being sold. When they reach consumers, the fish have a well-proportioned body, a bright red or golden color, stiff fins, shiny scales, and whiskers on both sides. Therefore, Thuy Tram red carp are always highly valued in the market.

At Mr. Nguyen Gia Soan's house in Dong Minh area, Tien Luong commune (Phu Tho province), the first batches of red carp for the 2026 Tet season are being collected and sorted in preparation for sale. He said that the fish, when ready for sale, are of a moderate size, bright red or yellow in color, with pointed fins, beautiful scales, and whiskers on both sides, making them popular in the market. This year, most of the fish are relatively small, averaging about 55 fish per kilogram.

After harvesting, the fish are transported to various provinces and cities to meet the needs of the people.

The Thuy Tram red carp has a slender shape, striking red or reddish-yellow color, and distinctive whiskers; overall, it has an attractive appearance, good quality, and a reasonable price.