Green lungs" of the countryside gradually change shape
For many people in Man Xuyen village (Chau Ninh commune, Hung Yen province), Man Xuyen lagoon (also known as Man Xuyen abyss) is not only a natural lake but also a part of the memory of the countryside, associated with daily life, environment and traditional cultural activities through many generations.
Many years ago, the lagoon played a role in regulating the climate, draining water and creating a characteristic landscape of the Northern countryside. This is also a space for community religious activities with the unique "swimming palanquin under the lagoon" ritual in the ancient festival of Man Xuyen village.
According to Decision No. 1421/QD-UBND dated June 16, 2021 of the People's Committee of Hung Yen province (old), Man Xuyen lagoon was classified into group I - lakes, ponds, and lagoons that are not leveled and need to be strictly protected. However, according to people's reflections, since the end of 2023, the lagoon has experienced an unprecedented serious drying out of water. Along with that is the phenomenon of soil dumping, embankment, and encroachment on water surface area, causing many people to worry.
Mr. N.V.H - a resident living near the lagoon area - said that the changes have become increasingly clear in the past year. "Since the abyss dried up, many places have started to be embanked. Some sections were previously water surface, now they look like landfills. Everyone is worried that the village's natural lake is gradually shrinking" - Mr. H shared.
Real-world records show that in many locations around the lagoon, new strips of soil have appeared protruding towards the water, and some areas show signs of leveling and improving the ground, significantly changing the current state of the natural lake.
Authorities request restoration of pond status
According to local information, from January 2024, the People's Committee of Tu Dan commune (old) signed a contract for Mr. Nguyen Van Tan's household, residing in Man Xuyen village, to lease about 71,000m2 of lagoon water surface for aquaculture for a term of 5 years.
After hiring the contractor, Mr. Nguyen Van Tan proceeded to level and change the current status of the pond. On June 7, 2025, the People's Committee of Tu Dan commune (old) made a record requesting the restoration of the original state, but according to reports, leveling continued to take place, peaking in March and April 2026.
In March and April 2026, Chau Ninh Commune People's Committee conducted inspections and made records of the incident. The minutes dated March 14, 2026 determined that Mr. Nguyen Van Tan had not remedied according to previous requests and continued to level about 3,500m2 at the end of the pond. The minutes dated April 16, 2026 continued to record the leveling of about 1,500m2 and the construction of a 60m long and 1m wide drainage ditch in the area adjacent to the residential area.
Chau Ninh Commune People's Committee has requested to immediately stop the leveling, and at the same time forced to restore the original state of the lagoon. According to local representatives, the area filled with soil is about 3,000m2, so the restoration process takes time to implement the correct procedures and complete the handling dossier.
Discussing this issue, a representative of Chau Ninh Commune People's Committee said that the local government's point of view is to strictly handle acts of leveling, encroachment and illegal construction at Man Xuyen lagoon. The Commune People's Committee has requested Mr. Nguyen Van Tan's household to complete the restoration of the leveled lagoon area before May 29, 2026, and at the same time assign officials from the Economic Department to daily supervise the recovery process.
Local people hope that functional agencies will continue to comprehensively inspect the current state of the water surface, assess environmental impacts and have solutions to protect the natural ecological space of Man Xuyen lagoon from the risk of further shrinking.
