After the construction of the Da River dam, Hoa Binh Reservoir became the largest artificial lake in Vietnam, stretching 230km from Hoa Binh province to Son La province.
Located within Hoa Binh province, the reservoir spans the administrative boundaries of Hoa Binh city and four districts: Da Bac, Cao Phong, Tan Lac, and Mai Chau.
Annually, the
Fisheries Sub-Department (under the Department of Agriculture and Environment)
collaborates with various agencies and enterprises to release tonnes of fish
fry into Hoa Binh Reservoir to regenerate aquatic resources.
With its vast surface area and a capacity of over 9 billion cubic
metres, Hoa Binh Reservoir is considered a valuable treasure trove of aquatic
life and fisheries resources. According to research, the reservoir is home to
123 species from 79 genera and 19 families, including many rare, economically
valuable species with scientific research significance. The diverse and
abundant aquatic resources have provided a long-term livelihood for the local
residents around the reservoir. However, in recent years, destructive fishing methods,
such as the use of explosives and electricity, have posed serious risks to the
reservoir’s ecosystem.
Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the Department of
Agriculture and Environment said to effectively harness the potential of the
area and sustainably manage and protect fisheries resources, the agricultural
sector has advised the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee to
issue directives and policies on fish farming in the Da River Reservoir and
other large reservoirs.
The provincial administration has paid special
attention to planning, developing policies to encourage fisheries, and
protecting and regenerating aquatic resources while maintaining ecosystem
balance and providing livelihoods for local communities. Additionally, local
authorities are tasked with preventing illegal fishing methods, ensuring a
healthy environment for aquatic species. To replenish fish stocks, the province
annually allocates budget and encourages businesses to release large quantities
of fish fry into the natural environment.
According to Executive Director of Hai Dang
Group Fisheries Co., Ltd. Nguyen Thi Dung, in addition to producing,
processing, cultivating, and trading fish products, the company annually
allocates funds for releasing different fish species to diversify and
regenerate aquatic resources in the reservoir area.
Alongside efforts to restock aquatic resources,
environmental protection has been a key focus. Relevant authorities and
localities have ramped up awareness campaigns to educate people on the
importance of protecting fisheries resources and the habitats of aquatic
species, both in the wild and in aquaculture. Local residents are encouraged to
comply with legal regulations, avoid using electric shocks, toxins, or
explosives in fishing, and only fish during authorised seasons and within the
legal size limits. Routine patrols and inspections are conducted to promptly
detect and address violations, while raising public awareness of legal
requirements for aquaculture.
Nguyen Van Chieu, Deputy Chairman of the Hoa
Binh commune People's Committee, Hoa Binh city, noted that the commune has two
villages along the reservoir. Local police and military forces have worked to
inform and persuade the public to avoid prohibited substances and harmful
fishing equipment, helping people understand that protecting fisheries
resources in the reservoir area is essential for preserving their own
livelihoods.
In protecting fisheries, local authorities
strengthen checks and punishments for violations such as using explosives,
electricity, or toxins for fishing. They promptly confiscate illegal equipment
and work to conserve and protect aquatic ecosystems and endangered, rare
species. Training sessions and campaigns on the Fisheries Law and related
regulations are regularly organised, guiding residents on how to avoid
introducing invasive aquatic species that could harm the environment, thus
fostering greater public awareness of efforts to protect, regenerate, and
develop fisheries resources.
The steering committee for key projects of Hoa Binh province convened on May 14 to assess the progress of major ongoing developments
A delegation of Hoa Binh province has attended the "Meet Korea 2025" event, recently held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, and the People's Committee of Hung Yen province.
Hoa Binh province joined Vietnam’s national "One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme in 2019, not simply as a mountainous region following central policy, but with a clear vision to revive the cultural and agricultural values in its villages and crops.
From just 16 certified products in its inaugural year to 158 by early 2025, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme in Hoa Binh province has followed a steady and strategic path. But beyond the numbers, it has reawakened local heritage, turning oranges, bamboo shoots, brocade, and herbal remedies into branded, market-ready goods - and, more profoundly, transformed how local communities value and present their own cultural identity.
"Behind every One Commune One Product (OCOP)-starred product lies a quietly operating support system: technical staff, experts, trade fairs, and e-commerce platforms. OCOP cannot go far without forward-looking policy support," affirmed Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hoa Binh province.
The economic landscape of Hoa Binh province continued its impressive upward trajectory through the first four months of 2025, according to a recent report from the provincial Department of Finance. The local authority has directed departments and sectors to keep close tabs on growth scenarios for each quarters and remove bottlenecks, striving to complete the set growth targets.
