In mid-September, according to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, just in the hot afternoon, the Canh Tang lake dam area in Yen Phu commune, Phu Tho province had many people coming to swim and swim.
Some households also take advantage of the lake surface to row boats, fish, and even transport visitors. These activities are taking place vigorously but are completely lacking in rescue equipment and are not safe.
At the end of August, Canh Tang Lake had a tragic drowning incident that shocked local people. However, according to Ms. Quach Thi Trang (28 years old, living in Nhon hamlet), many people still disregard and consider the lake surface as a natural beach.
Mr. Bui Van Chien (41 years old, Head of Nhon hamlet) added: "As soon as the lake started to accumulate water, every afternoon there were children and adults pulling out the roof of the main dam to swim, especially on hot days.
Some households also rowed boats to carry passengers, set up shelters along the lake to combine fishing and dining services, which are both risky and difficult to control".
According to the Canh Tang Reservoir Management Board, the lake has a water surface area of up to 14 km2, a capacity of nearly 95 million m3, a deep lake bed, rapidly rising water levels, and many underground spinning spans. Just one minute of carelessness can have unpredictable consequences.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Tran Van Nguyen - Director of the Canh Tang Reservoir Management and Operation Board said: "Immediately after the inauguration, the lake area was continuously subjected to heavy rain, the basin was up to 100 km2 wide, causing water levels to change erratically.
We have coordinated with the locality to propagate and put up warning signs, but people are still subjective. There were times when the supervisors temporarily stopped, but when the force left, everything recurs."
According to Mr. Nguyen, in reality, management also faces many difficulties. The Management Board is only responsible for the area of the headworks and auxiliary dams; while the small wharves opened by the people around are outside its control.
Regarding spontaneous activities on Canh Tang Lake, Mr. Bui Thanh Tung - Chairman of Yen Phu Commune People's Committee also confirmed this situation.
"The arrangement of forces to regularly control and prevent spontaneous activities at the lake still faces many difficulties.
Recently, the commune government has coordinated with the authorities and related units to request all boats and spontaneous business services on the lake to be temporarily suspended for 15 days to complete legal procedures," Mr. Tung informed.
On the afternoon of August 28, 2025, a tragic drowning incident occurred in the Canh Tang lake area. The victim was Mr. Bui Van Toan (born in 1979, residing in Trang Da hamlet, Yen Phu commune).
At that time, the victim and some people went swimming in the lake area, leading to drowning. Immediately after receiving the report, the authorities mobilized human resources and means to search. At 8:40 p.m. the same day, the victim's body was found in tens of meters of water.
