Người dân ngoại thành Hà Nội hò reo dập sào bắt cá trên sông Tích Giang

Amidst the sweltering heat exceeding 30°C, from the elderly to the youth of Phuc Tho commune (Hanoi), people enthusiastically waded into the river to catch fish using poles, creating a lively atmosphere along the Tich Giang river.

Every year, on the 14th day of the first lunar month, as part of the Tuong Phieu village festival, the people of Tich Giang village (Phuc Tho commune, Hanoi) organize a ritual of catching fish in the river to commemorate their ancestors, while also expressing their wishes for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, peaceful lives, and strengthened community solidarity.

To participate in fishing in the Tich Giang river, people prepare familiar tools such as pole traps, baskets, and nets – tools associated with traditional fishing.

Because river fish swim quickly and are adept at evading capture, people have made their own specialized traps to catch them, increasing efficiency in the fishing process.

Each pole is about 5-6 meters long, with a sturdy frame made of large-mesh netting attached to the end, capable of holding fish weighing up to 5 kg.

Participants stand on these long poles, moving nimbly in the river while rhythmically jumping to catch the swimming fish.

When they spot a fish swimming by, they immediately slam the net down on the water. The fish gets caught inside; one person holds the pole tightly while the other quickly dives down to catch it.

Besides the pole traps, the locals also prepare nets and other fishing gear to increase the effectiveness of their fishing.

Fishing with these traps requires close coordination among the members. Everyone must move in the same direction to herd the fish into the net; even a slight misstep can allow the fish to quickly escape.

Sharing his experience at the festival, a local resident said that at the beginning of the new year, he participated in the traditional fishing ritual to commemorate his ancestors and to pray for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and family peace and unity.

When the fish were gathered at the final point, everyone brought them ashore, then returned to the river to continue the fishing process.

Holding the large fish they had just caught, the people proceeded to Ngo Temple to hand them over to the organizers, preparing for the offering ceremony to the deities on the 15th day of the first lunar month at Tuong Phieu communal house.

The traditional fishing festival on the Tich Giang River attracts a large number of locals and tourists from all over, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere in the early days of the new year.