From the river, opening up livelihoods
The Son River, more than 12km long, flows through Phong Nha commune, Quang Tri province, located in the heart of Phong Nha - Ke Bang World Natural Heritage. Not only contributing to creating the unique landscape of this land, the river has also become a place for people to develop cage fish farming, gradually forming livelihoods associated with tourism.
After nearly 30 years of development, cage fish farming in Phong Nha commune currently has about 350 households in 5 riverside villages including Gia Tinh, Xuan Son, Son Trach, Na and Chay Lap.
Mr. Nguyen Van Meo, in Na village, Phong Nha commune, has been attached to the cage fish farming profession on the Son River for nearly 20 years. He said that before the fish farming profession developed, many men in the village used to go into the forest to find agarwood or exploit resources to earn a living. As Phong Nha tourism developed, the demand for food consumption increased, and fish farmed on the Son River became a new way of making a living.
Every day, from early morning, people rowed boats on the river to collect algae and moss, and find natural food for fish. The work has been repeated over the years, but it helps many families have more stable income and reduce dependence on forest resources.
The point that makes up the value of fish farmed on the Son River is also the special natural conditions. The water source originates from the underground river system in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang limestone mountains, which is clear and cool all year round. Fish are mainly farmed with algae, moss, banana leaves, minced cassava and young grass.
Thanks to natural food sources, Son River carp have firm, sweet meat and less fishy smell. Fish are usually raised for 3-4 years to reach a weight of about 3-5 kg; those that have been raised for many years can reach more than 10 kg and have higher value. Each cage of fish earns 40-50 million VND per year" - Mr. Nguyen Van Meo said.
Specialty fish farming associated with heritage tourism
Mr. Phan Hai Ha, Chairman of Phong Nha Commune People's Committee, said that cage fish farming on the Son River is one of the typical livelihoods of the locality, and also contributes to creating unique tourism products. The locality orients the development of fish farming towards sustainability, associated with environmental protection, preserving water quality and gradually combining with community tourism.
From products raised on the heritage river, grass carp are processed into many dishes to serve tourists such as fish cakes, braised fish with galangal, braised fish with sour bamboo shoots, grilled fish with fermented galangal. Some processed products, including grass carp cakes, meet OCOP standards, contributing to increasing value and expanding the consumption market.
According to Phong Nha Commune People's Committee, in the first 6 months of 2026, cage fish production on the Son River reached about 220 tons. With a common selling price of 100,000-120,000 VND/kg, revenue is estimated at more than 24 billion VND. If the current output is maintained, the revenue for the whole year may reach more than 48 billion VND.
