According to the reporter's records, in mid-March 2025, in the Nghieng Port area of Tan Thinh Ward, Hoa Binh City, many people still defied and calmly let go fishing vessels right in the area warned to be extremely dangerous.
Although there have been many tragic accidents, the scene of groups of people gathering to fish, standing precariously on slippery rocks or even wading into the rushing water still recurred every day.
Mr. Dinh Cong Hoan (62 years old, residing in Group 6, Tan Thinh Ward) said that although there are warning signs of " prohibited water areas", many people freely go fishing, even swimming in the river.
"It is worth mentioning that despite the accidents that have occurred, many people are still subjective and disregard warnings. They believe that if they observe the water level carefully and prepare an escape plan, it can be safe. But just one moment of losing vigilance, one step of slipping and falling is enough to turn the fishing pleasure into a tragedy," said Mr. Hoan.
Similarly, Mr. Ngo Van Thong (73 years old, residing in Thinh Lang ward) - head of the fishing village - shared: "Although the water level of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir has receded to about 20 m from the time of flood discharge, danger is always lurking. There are tragic accidents every year, even when the hydropower plant does not release water."
According to Mr. Thong, many people mistakenly believe that this area is dangerous just when the flood is released, but in reality, the riverbed with complex terrain, slippery reefs and sudden changes in flow can still become a death trap.
There were cases of slipping into water, being swept away by the strong current without having time to call for help. There are even people who are good at swimming but still cannot cope with the power of the Da River.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Luu Hoai Thanh - Vice Chairman of Tan Thinh Ward People's Committee - said that the locality is facing many difficulties in preventing people from violating prohibited water areas. Due to the lack of specialized equipment, the authorities can only stand on the shore to propagate and call on people not to fish or swim in dangerous areas.
"We still do propaganda and reminders, but how effective it is depends on each person's awareness. When they were still on shore, we could warn them and ask them to leave, but once they had wade into the water, we could not do anything more," Mr. Thanh shared.
On March 14, Lao Dong Newspaper reported that the victim had been missing for many days while fishing at the foot of Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam. The victim was found at the foot of Hoa Binh 3 bridge (connecting Thinh Lang ward with Trung Minh ward).
According to the leader of Tan Thinh Ward, the victim was identified as Mr. N.X.H (born in 1978, residing in Tan Thinh Ward, working at Quynh Lam Primary and Secondary School).
Previously, the victim's family and agency reported to Tan Thinh Ward Police that Mr. H went fishing on the evening of March 10 at the foot of Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam and went missing.
