Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

By Ngoc Tai   November 1, 2022 | 05:33 am PT
Residents are grateful that the annual flooding season has arrived in the Mekong Delta, blessing the region with fertile silt deposits from upstream reaches of the river.
Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

In southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, the flooding season has always been a much awaited event. Unlike in other areas where inundation causes great harm, the flooding season in the Mekong Delta does it great good.

Typically starting late July or early August and remaining until November or even later, the flooding blesses the region, the agriculture hub of Vietnam, with extraordinary fertility as silt is deposited from upstream areas. It also has the effect of flushing chemical residues left from previous crops.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

During the flooding season, farmers switch from cultivation of crops to fishing.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

A man uses a basket trap to catch fish hiding in the mud after luring them to the spot he wants.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Nguyen Thi Cua of An Phu District in An Giang Province smiles as she shows off some of her catch in one night.

So far in the flooding season, she and her husband have earned more than VND200,000 ($8) per day by catching and selling fish and snakes.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Nguyen Van Hoang catches snails in Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province.

"The snails are really fat this season," he says.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Two women in Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province sort siamese mud carp, a specialty of the flooding season, for selling at VND20,000 per kilo.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Dang Van Thang catches frogs by a flooded field.

He says that he can catch three-four kilos of frogs in around three to four hours. He sells them at VND50,000-80,000 per kilo depending on their size.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Phan Van Vu prepares bamboo traps to catch shrimps in An Phu District, An Giang Province.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Fisherfolk gather at river intersections in An Phu District, An Giang Province, to sell what they have caught to traders.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Women sell freshwater fish at a wet market that opens every morning from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. in Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

As fish is abundant this season, locals dry them as reserves.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

A family in An Giang Province takes their children to school by boat, a normal occurrence during this season.

Mekong Delta receives its flooding blessing

Nguyen Thanh Tan rows a boat carrying grass to feed a herd of 18 buffalos. He’s had to evacuate them to high places for safety from the floodwaters.

 
 
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