Making money from water

A small fishing village on the Na Hang - Lam Binh ecological lake.

Fishing villages on the lake

After nearly two hours by motorboat, we arrived at a fishing village in Phuc Yen commune, Lam Binh district. Our conversation with Mr. Ma Van Chung surprised us because he hadn't visited his family for over three months. Mr. Chung recounted that his family used to live in Thuy Loa commune, but now they've moved to a resettlement area in Lang Quan (Yen Son district). Life in this remote, mountainous area is rather monotonous, but the abundant aquatic resources provide a comfortable income. Mr. Chung has invested in raising fish fry, earning over 100 million VND annually, which allows his family to support their children's education and cover daily living expenses.

In 2006, the Tuyen Quang hydroelectric reservoir was completed and put into operation. The reservoir, covering over 8,000 hectares, teemed with fish such as catfish, snakehead, and other species. This abundant aquatic resource has attracted many people to stay and make a living through fishing. Many fishing villages have formed here, such as Ben Thuy fishing village and Phuc Yen fishing village.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Na Hang district, on average, the annual aquaculture production in the lake reaches over 800 tons, including many specialty fish species such as bỗng, chiên, and lăng chấm; the fishing output is over 300 tons...

The Ben Thuy fishing village has 10 households engaged in fishing and cage fish farming. Some families have around 10 cages, while others have up to 60. Trinh Van Ha (born in 1989) has become the young owner with the most fish cages in the Ben Thuy fishing village. Ha shared that the water here is very clean, which helps the fish avoid disease, resulting in firm, flavorful meat. To ensure a consistent supply of fish, he practices staggered stocking. His annual income is nearly 200 million VND.

An attractive " travel menu".

Currently, the Na Hang ecological lake area has more than 1,300 fish cages with over 100 households involved in fish farming, including 2 enterprises and 2 cooperatives participating in large-scale farming of specialty fish, with a total annual production of over 900 tons. The development of farming specialty fish species such as snakehead, catfish, tilapia, red snapper, and other varieties has helped many families earn a decent income.

Ms. Chúc Thị Sếnh's family makes a living by fishing on the hydroelectric reservoir every day.

Besides economic development, fishing villages have also become a tourism product in the attractive "tourism menu" of experiences on the ecological lake. The People's Committees of Na Hang and Lam Binh districts have developed a plan to develop exemplary agricultural farms associated with building new rural areas to serve tourism development. According to Mr. Cao Van Minh, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Lam Binh district, with the motto "Aquaculture development must be linked with tourism," utilizing the water surface area to improve the lives of the people, in the coming time, the district will promote many tours and routes on the lake, guiding tourists to experience the fishing villages.

Ms. Vo Nhu Ngoc, a tour guide for a Hanoi-based travel company, frequently leads tourists in the Na Hang - Lam Binh ecological lake area. She shared that the people living in the fishing village are warm, honest, and hospitable, so everyone appreciates them. The fish and shrimp in the lake are delicious and inexpensive. She also helps many tourists buy shrimp as souvenirs, priced at around 50-70 thousand VND/kg.

Nguyen Sieu, a photographer from Hanoi, also commented that the fishing village is most beautiful at sunset and sunrise. The floating houses anchored around the lake are usually thatched with palm leaves, which are both light and cool. In the afternoon, the fishermen go out to cast their nets, then return to prepare dinner. Vegetables are always readily available, mostly wild vegetables; there are all kinds of fish. Life here is truly peaceful, a perfect place for city dwellers to relax and unwind.

Na Hang (Tuyen Quang): Protecting the environment for tourism development.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/lam-giau-tu-nuoc-1718684835560.htm