Vietnamese Mekong Delta’s ‘floating season’: Cherished childhood memories of bathing in flooded fields
Friday, October 11, 2024, 14:40 GMT+7
Vietnam’s ‘floating season’ is more than simply a time of agricultural abundance for Mekong Delta communities, it also evokes nostalgic childhood memories of bathing in the region’s expansive flooded fields.
The August-November period in the Mekong Delta region, when water levels rise and rivers and canals flood low-lying areas, is known as the ‘floating season.’
On Thursday afternoon, adults and children gathered at the Dike No. 1 Area in Thuong Thoi Hau A Commune, Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province to bathe in one of those flooded fields.
Such gatherings are routine during the flooding season.
Around 4:00 pm daily, just as the sun begins to cool the land, families come together to frolic in the flooded fields.
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| Children joyfully frolic in the flooded fields of Hong Ngu District in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, October 10, 2024. Photo: Tong Doanh |
Children who cannot swim don life jackets and hold tight to their parents while those old enough to head into the water alone spend the evening splashing around with their friends.
According to Nhu Ngoc, a resident of Thuong Thoi Hau A Commune, most of the children, regardless of whether or not they can swim, wear life jackets just to be safe.
“During this time of year, parents take their children to the fields to learn how to swim, it is a fun and free way to spend time together,” Ngoc explained.
“The flood season only occurs once a year.
"Both adults and children eagerly anticipate rowing boats into the fields, feeling the cool breeze, and swimming with their children and grandchildren throughout the year."
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| Children and adults row a stand-up paddle board in the expansive flooded fields of Hong Ngu District in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, October 10, 2024. Photo: Tong Doanh |
According to Tran Thi Xa, deputy chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Thuong Thoi Hau A Commune, visitors from outside the commune also visit the fields in the Dike No. 1 Area.
Commune police and security teams keep a watchful eye on the area to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We suggest that people bring life jackets, especially for young children,” Xa emphasized.
“It’s important to swim close to the shore and avoid deep water.
"Children should always be supervised by adults.”
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| A man monitors his children swimming in the flooded fields of Hong Ngu District in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, October 10, 2024. Photo: Tong Doanh / Tuoi Tre |
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| Children watch people swimming in the expansive flooded fields in Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, October 10, 2024. Photo: Tong Doanh / Tuoi Tre |
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