"Iron bridge" at the foot of the hydroelectric dam.

(Baonghean) - Currently, the Khe Bo Hydropower Dam (Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district) is holding back water to test the operation of its first turbine. Essentially, the national project is complete, and the steel bars and iron plates used in the dam construction are no longer in use. The construction workers have left them at the base of the dam, creating a new occupation for many local people: "recycling."

Standing on the Khe Bo hydroelectric dam and looking down into the towering depths below, under the scorching sun, those who make a living "fishing for scrap metal" are still diligently and meticulously lowering each rope into the riverbed to search for any remaining scrap metal bars at the bottom of the Lam River.

The people of Tam Huong village, traditionally only accustomed to rice and tree cultivation, have now become familiar with a new profession: "iron scavenging." The group includes people of all ages, from young elementary and middle school students to middle-aged adults. On makeshift rafts or floats, they diligently search for iron bars left behind at the foot of the dam, undeterred by the ever-present dangers.

"Iron bridge" at Khe Bo Hydroelectric Dam.



A makeshift float used for extracting scrap metal.



Many young children also participated.



The fisherman used a magnet to retrieve an iron bar.

Photo series: Ho Phuong