Go to Hoa Binh to see 1,000 giant "sea monsters" swimming in the largest artificial reservoir in Vietnam

Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Reservoir (commonly known as Hoa Binh Lake) is the largest artificial freshwater reservoir in Vietnam. Using cage farming, Hoa Binh Lake is raising more than 1,000 large catfish, catfish, and sturgeon, with an average weight of 20kg/fish, considered as "sea monsters" on the Da River.

After more than 5 months of auctioning a sturgeon - a "monster" weighing 45kg in Hoa Binh, I met Mr. Ha Van Quan, Deputy Director of Hai Dang Group again and this time he took me to the fish farm located just a few minutes boat ride from Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam.

Mr. Ha Van Quan, Deputy Director of Hai Dang Group, introduces the method of raising "giant" sturgeon, catfish, and black carp in cages on Hoa Binh hydroelectric lake - the largest artificial freshwater lake in Vietnam. Photo: Binh Minh.

More than 200 fish cages of Hai Dang Group are nestled behind a majestic rocky mountain in the middle of the largest artificial freshwater lake in Hoa Binh province and also the artificial lake with the largest capacity in Vietnam.

Below, tens of thousands of fish, with nearly 30 different types of fish such as: black catfish, catfish, black carp, crispy carp, river carp, yellow catfish, red-tailed catfish, tilapia, red tilapia... over 1,000 such "huge" fish, it was truly a mystery that I had to find out.

In the fish farm, there are more than 1,000 catfish, catfish, and sturgeon - specialty fish, each weighing over 20kg, likened to "sea monsters" of the Da River swimming in the clear blue water. The sturgeon swim slowly like "submarines".

Raising specialty fish on the Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir is very popular, but raising and caring for fish with huge weight is very elaborate.

Talking about the "giant" sturgeon that the unit is raising, Mr. Quan said that sturgeon are usually raised in cold water areas in the northern mountainous provinces or the Central Highlands. However, his unit has pioneered and successfully raised sturgeon on the Da River.

According to Mr. Quan, the technique of raising sturgeon on the Da River was researched, explored and successfully applied by the company's aquatic engineers.

Before releasing the sturgeon, divers will dive down to a certain level to check the water level to ensure the best for the fish because the deeper the water gets, the colder it gets. When the temperature is suitable, the sturgeon will be released.

Sturgeon need clean water, no chemical pollution, need continuous flow to have enough oxygen, average water temperature from 18-22 degrees Celsius. Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir has an average water temperature of 23-24 degrees Celsius, clean, so it is very suitable for raising sturgeon.

Sturgeon are raised in floating iron net cages on the river at a depth of 4-6m. Sturgeon are relatively docile, feed on benthic animals (worms, snails) and do not harm the native ecosystem.

A sturgeon weighing over 20kg is raised at Hai Dang Group on Hoa Binh Lake. The sturgeon and big black carp raised here are likened by the participants to "sea monsters" on the majestic Da River. Photo: Binh Minh.

To keep sturgeon healthy, technicians feed them industrial feed mixed with ground raceway fish and sea fish. The feed has a high protein content and less fat than that used for breeding fish, and they feed them four times a day.

To avoid leftover food and foreign objects sticking to the net, technicians must regularly dive down to check the surface and bottom of the net 4-6m, and at the same time monitor fish health and unusual factors in the farming environment.

Dirty or polluted water often makes fish susceptible to disease. In addition, technicians must promptly check for torn nets to prevent fish from escaping and remove any organisms that cling to the net and cause injury to the fish.

From the success of raising sturgeon on the Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir, from 2023 to now, Mr. Quan's unit has sold about 70 tons of fish.

A "giant" catfish weighing over 20kg raised on the Hoa Binh hydroelectric lake was caught by Hai Dang Group's technical staff for a health check. Photo: Hai Dang Group.

A black carp weighing nearly 20kg is raised at Hai Dang Group on Hoa Binh Lake. Black carp is also one of the Da River's specialty fish. Photo: Hai Dang Group.

For catfish, black carp and other specialty fish, Mr. Quan said that the unit has built a closed production model, from the input stage of fish fry to the output stage, the farming process is strictly and tightly controlled. In addition to high quality commercial fish according to VietGAP standards.

The fish fry are imported from the Northern National Freshwater Aquaculture Breeding Center and are raised entirely in clean water in Hoa Binh Lake.

The main food source for specialty fish and "giant" fish is natural shrimp and ditches, ensuring standard care processes, without using antibiotics that affect fish quality and consumer health.

According to Mr. Quan, with over 200 fish cages, Hai Dang Group's total annual fish output reaches 600 tons.

Secretary of the Hoa Binh Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Phi Long visited Hai Dang Group's booth introducing Da River fish at the 2nd Da River Fish and Shrimp Festival in Hoa Binh Province in 2024. Photo: Hai Dang Group

At the second Da River Fish and Shrimp Festival in Hoa Binh province in November 2024, a 45kg sturgeon from Hai Dang Group was successfully auctioned to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hieu from the Fun Fishing Club of Bao Tin Minh Chau Company ( Hanoi ) for 150 million VND.

Source: https://danviet.vn/len-hoa-binh-xem-1000-con-thuy-quai-to-bu-boi-o-ho-chua-nuoc-nhan-tao-lon-nhat-viet-nam-20250306111135084.htm