[Photo Series] Crowds flock to Tri An dam base to 'hunt for nature's bounty' after southern Vietnam's largest hydropower plant closes floodgate

On the morning of October 19, after more than half a month of releasing floodwater, Tri An Hydropower Plant (Tri An commune, Dong Nai province) closed its spillway at 8 am As soon as the water began to recede, hundreds of local people from Tri An commune and surrounding areas quickly gathered at the base of the dam to catch fish, creating a bustling and lively scene.

Before the hydropower plant closes its spillway, residents have already arrived and waited since early morning. Photo: Thuy Tien

Just about ten minutes after the dam gates closed, the water level in the roughly 2,000-square-meter area at the base of the dam had dropped significantly. Residents quickly paddled out in boats or floated on inner tubes into the shallow waters, bringing along various tools such as cast nets, fishing nets, and scoops to “hunt for nature's bounty.”

Residents enthusiastically prepare to set up their nets. Photo: Thuy Tien

With the dam no longer releasing water, residents paddle boats and float on inner tubes to catch fish. Photo: Thuy Tien

A long line of residents set up nets along the base of the dam, while many others focused on casting traps in deeper water areas. Locals say that the period when the dam stops releasing water is always a good opportunity to catch various wild fish species such as tench, Bagridae, common carp, and Helicoper catfish. However, this year, as the hydropower plant closed its gates later than usual, the fish supply was not as abundant as expected.

Hundreds of people wade into the water to catch fish together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. Photo: Thuy Tien

Residents use various fishing tools to catch fish. Photo: Thuy Tien

Tran Quyet Thang (Ma Da commune, Dong Nai province) shared, “This is the first time the dam has closed this year, but there aren't many fish. However, every time we cast our nets, we still catch something, mostly Bagridae, tench, and tra fish.”

People's joy when catching fish. Photo: Thuy Tien

The fish caught by residents are used as food, served to guests, or sold to restaurants and traders who specialize in buying wild-caught river fish. Beyond its economic value, this activity also brings a joyful atmosphere and strengthens community bonds each time the floodgate season ends.

The freshly caught fish are immediately purchased by waiting traders. Photo: Thuy Tien

All kinds of vessels, from small boats and inflatable rafts to car tires, are used as means to catch fish. Photo: Thuy Tien

Beautiful scene of a local throwing a net. Photo: Thuy Tien

Although fish are scarce this year, each cast of the net still yields a catch. Photo: Thuy Tien

Residents celebrate after catching a giant fish. Photo: Thuy Tien

By Thuy Tien - Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/english/202510/photo-series-crowds-flock-to-tri-an-dam-base-to-hunt-for-natures-bounty-after-southern-vietnams-largest-hydropower-plant-closes-floodgate-03215cc/