As the opening drumbeat echoed across the water, hundreds of local residents and visitors carrying bamboo fish traps, lift nets and scoop nets rushed into Vu Rao in Nghi Xuan Commune, Ha Tinh Province, to take part in a folk festival that has endured for nearly 300 years.

Early on the morning of June 27, before the sun climbed high, the road leading to Vu Rao in Nam Vien Village, Nghi Xuan Commune, was already bustling. Elderly villagers, young adults and children arrived carrying their familiar fishing gear, eagerly awaiting the start of the annual festival.

Once the ceremonial drum signaled the opening, the approximately 30-hectare stretch of water at Vu Rao quickly came alive. Bamboo fish traps were repeatedly lowered into the water, while lift nets and scoop nets were pulled up one after another. Cheers from successful participants mixed with applause from spectators along the banks, creating an atmosphere found only at this unique festival.

This year's relatively low water level made fishing conditions especially favorable. Many participants caught fish within just a few minutes, including several grass carp weighing several kilograms.

The festival attracts not only local residents but also visitors from neighboring areas. For many, it is far more than a fishing competition. It is a chance to reconnect with friends and relive memories of their hometown.

Nguyen Viet Tam, a visitor from neighboring Nghe An Province, said he has participated in the festival for several consecutive years. This year, he caught a 4kg fish just five minutes after entering the water.

The Vu Rao Fishing Festival, also known as the Dong Hoa Fishing Festival or the Vu Xa Festival, has existed for around 300 years in Nghi Xuan. Rooted in the region's agricultural traditions, the event reflects local hopes for favorable weather, abundant harvests and prosperous lives.

For generations, local residents have followed community rules designed to protect fish stocks in Vu Rao. Each year, only after the farming season and when conditions are suitable do villagers gather to celebrate the festival, combining recreation with community bonding.

One of the festival's defining features is the participation of multiple generations. Older villagers pass down traditional fishing skills, young people learn about local customs, and children have the opportunity to experience a rare piece of living folk culture.

At the end of the festival, organizers awarded prizes to those who caught the largest fish. This year's top prize went to Phan Van Binh from Gia Phu Village, Nghi Xuan Commune, who landed a grass carp weighing 5.7kg.

After hundreds of years, the Vu Rao Fishing Festival continues to captivate participants with its simplicity and strong sense of community. Amid modern life, the sight of an entire community wading into the water together, sharing laughter and celebrating their catches remains one of Ha Tinh's most distinctive cultural traditions.

Thien Luong