Flooded with plastic waste at carp release sites in Vinh City

Nguyen Chau - Sea King• DNUM_AEZACZCACB 14:28

(Baonghean.vn) - At noon on the 23rd of December, many people released carp to send the Kitchen Gods to heaven. However, after releasing them, people conveniently threw away plastic bags, and in some cases, the fish were caught by people with nets right after they were released.

According to Vietnamese belief, the Kitchen God will ride a carp to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the family situation in the past year. Therefore, every December 23, people go to ponds, lakes, and rivers to release carp. In the photo: Vinh City residents go to Lam River to release carp at noon on December 23 (Lunar calendar). Photo: Nguyen Chau

The custom of releasing carp is a beautiful part of Vietnamese culture with the wish to pray for peace and all the best in the new year. Photo: Nguyen Chau

However, the fish release points are seriously polluted and filled with garbage. In the photo: the fish release point in the Hung Hoa dike area is polluted and dirty. Photo: Nguyen Chau

Although trash bins have been provided for people to dispose of plastic bags after releasing fish, the capacity is not enough to handle the huge amount of plastic waste. Photo: Nguyen Chau

People even conveniently burn trash right on the edge of Lam River, causing serious pollution. Photo: Nguyen Chau

A similar situation occurred at Cua Tien Bridge, where people "threw" carp from the bridge and calmly left plastic bags on the bridge railing. Photo: Hai Vuong

Many people release fish but also conveniently throw plastic bags into the Vinh River. Photo: Hai Vuong

As a result, the Vinh River bed at Cua Tien Bridge area is "floating" with garbage. Photo: Nguyen Chau

In addition, after people release the carp, there are immediately many people waiting to catch the fish again. This has been a situation that has occurred for many years, causing a lot of frustration for the people. Photo: Hai Vuong