People in Ha Tinh Province have turned out in their droves to experience a joyful day of fishing at a traditional fishing festival.

The Dong Hoa fishing festival, or the Vuc Rao fishing festival, held at Vuc swamp in Xuan Vien Commune, Nghi Xuan District, attracted hundreds of participants, including children and elders, last Sunday morning.

Around 5:30 am, large groups of anglers carrying fishing coops, nets, and other traditional fishing accessories flocked to a 30-hectare swamp in the hope of catching some of the big fish on offer, considered a sign of prosperity for the next harvest.

According to the elderly, the festival dates back years ago, and is an annual event organized by local authorities and citizens between the end of the fourth lunar month and the beginning of the fifth, when the harvesting season ends.

During the day, whenever a fisherman catches a large fish, crowds cheer, creating an exciting atmosphere all over the swamp.

The event aims to preserve and honor the traditions of the ancestors.

Those who fish with coops and lift nets are given priority, followed by those using nets. Fishing tools involving electricity are prohibited.

Attending the festival with his grandchildren, Hoang Van Thanh, an 83-year-old resident in Xuan Vien Commune, said that conventionally, the main event started once the village head gave a shout and had caught the first fish with a fishing coop.

“Then, all villagers, each holding coops and nets, try to catch as many fish as possible in the hope of a prosperous harvest next season,” Thanh explained. “To the locals, the bigger the fish is, the better fortune they will have.”

People catch fish with coops at the Dong Hoa fishing festival in Ha Tinh Province on June 12, 2016. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Many bring fishing coops, waiting for the event on Sunday morning. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

After the initial shout of a local official, residents flock to Vuc swamp to fish with traditional tools. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

While many chose fishing coops to catch fish, other utilized lift nets. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

The excitement of hundreds of people fishing and cheering. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

A youngster poses with a bag and a basket – his main fishing kit. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Three people are seen carrying their fishing nets to the swamp. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

A man catches a carp at the festival. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

 (Source: Tuoi Tre News)