The story of the "forbidden river"

Each year, fishing is only permitted during major events, and the people of Ngam village, Son Dien commune, are collectively taking responsibility to protect the aquatic resources and the environmental landscape of the Luong River.

The people of Ngam village are fishing together on the Luong River during the period leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

As the 51st anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2026) approaches, the men and young boys of Ngam village are preparing, mending their fishing nets and getting ready to go out to the Luong River to catch seafood. Along with the influx of tourists, the atmosphere in the village is therefore more vibrant and lively.

Since 2018, following study tours to observe community-based tourism models in the northern mountainous provinces, the management board and residents of Ngam village have discussed and agreed to include regulations in their village charter to protect the environmental landscape and restrict fishing on the Luong River, the section flowing through the village. This action not only aims to protect the environmental landscape and aquatic resources for the future but also creates conditions for the development of community-based tourism in the village.

Since then, the approximately 4-kilometer stretch of the Luong River flowing around Ngam village has been quite strictly protected by the villagers. The village management board regularly monitors the implementation of the village regulations. However, because it has been unanimously agreed upon by all the villagers, no one goes into the river to fish without notifying the village management board beforehand. Therefore, the villagers of Ngam jokingly call this section of the river the "forbidden river".

The village regulations of Ngam stipulate that only on important national holidays and events are people allowed to organize fishing on the river each year. According to the Party Secretary and head of Ngam village, Luong Van Duan: “Each year, the village organizes fishing on the Luong River four times: during the Lunar New Year, the Day of the Complete Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30th), National Day (September 2nd), and the National Unity Day (November 18th). Before fishing, the village management board widely announces the specific time and requires each household to send at least one person to participate with fishing equipment. During the fishing process, the villagers only take the large fish, keeping the smaller ones separate before releasing them back into the river. The remaining fish are divided according to the number of people in the village.”

Most recently, just before the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, the people of Ngam village collectively caught nearly 300kg of fish. The distribution was fair to all 398 inhabitants of the village, regardless of age or gender. As Secretary Duẩn stated: "As residents of Ngam village, everyone should share equally. This distribution method has been unanimously agreed upon by all the villagers in the village's customary regulations."

For valuable fish species that are scarce and insufficient to share among all residents, such as catfish and carp, the village management sells them to contribute to the village fund. This fund is used for communal activities such as visiting the sick, attending weddings and funerals, promoting education and talent, etc. Sometimes, the fish and shrimp caught are used to organize village celebrations. The villagers only contribute rice and vegetables, while the village management uses the fund to purchase additional food and drinks.

“Every year, the villagers usually hold two communal celebrations: one before the Lunar New Year and another on National Unity Day. Some years, they also hold a celebration on National Day. This is also the most practical activity for the Party branch and the people of Ngam village to celebrate important events of their homeland and country. Besides the joyful atmosphere of the celebration, the fishing on the river also makes everyone excited. The villagers are also more united because of this,” affirmed Party Secretary Luong Van Duan.

According to Secretary Duẩn, in necessary cases, such as when guests from afar want to eat natural river fish, the village always facilitates their catching. And no one in the village is greedy; they only catch enough to eat.

Restricting fishing on the Luong River not only protects the environment and aquatic resources but also creates conditions for the local people to develop community tourism. Since 2019, when Ngam village became a stop on the Quan Son - Vieng Xay tour, many tourists have come to visit and experience the area. Many groups of tourists also enjoy swimming in the river and casting nets. Because the river is protected and fishing is restricted, tourists can catch fish when they cast their nets. Afterwards, they bring their catch back to their homestays to prepare or release it back into the river. Tourism in Ngam village has therefore become more attractive to visitors.

Therefore, the policy of limiting fishing and working together to protect the environment and aquatic resources of the Luong River has been supported and enthusiastically participated in by the villagers. According to Ms. Luc Thi Kim, owner of Loc Kim homestay in Ngam village, "Whenever tourists want to experience fishing on the Luong River, the homestay owner reports to the village management board. Then, the village assigns people to protect and guide tourists during the experience. We strongly support the village's policy and approach of limiting fishing, protecting the landscape and environment of the Luong River, and creating conditions to attract tourists to visit and experience. Thanks to this, the income of the villagers has improved and increased."

Text and photos: Do Duc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-song-cam-285116.htm