In recent years, water hyacinth has become raw material for the fine-art handicraft sector.

However, as water hyacinth is planted rampantly in rivers, this species has become a big problem for river way traffic during the flood season in the southwestern region of Vietnam. When the water rises, millions of water hyacinths spread all over the water surface, hindering boats from travel and blocks the flow of irrigation works.

According to people in the districts of Long My, Phung Hiep and Vi Thuy in the southern province of Hau Giang, water hyacinths develop very fast from April to November.

In recent years, water hyacinths have helped many families escape from poverty but the uncontrolled growing of water hyacinths has also caused many implications.

The rapid development of water hyacinth has not only encroached on rivers, obstructed traffic, but also polluted the environment.

Hyacinths tightly binds boats, so people have to use sticks to push their boats to the midstream.

A boat carrying pineapples to the market is stuck amid water hyacinths.

The river in Long Tri Commune of Long My district, Hau Giang province is dense with hyacinths.

Ferries in Hau Giang also face difficulty in picking up passengers.