Once every year, a hydropower dam in Dong Nai Province of southern Vietnam closes its spillway gates after the flood season, leaving plenty of fish stranded for the catching as thousands flock to collect ‘heaven’s fortune.’

The Tri An Hydropower Plant, finished in 1986, has an installed capacity of 400MW and includes a dam and lake built over the Dong Nai River.

Once every year, Tri An opens its spillway gates around September during the peak of the wet season to discharge water and prevent flood from overtopping the dam.

Plenty of fish migrating upstream become trapped upon reaching the dam, transforming this part of the river into a populated fishing ground.

As the Tri An dam closed its spillway gates on Monday afternoon after nearly two weeks of opening, water levels downstream the plant were immediately lower, allowing thousands to wade their way into the shallow river and catch the stranded fish.

Some came fully-prepared with fishing nets and electrofishing equipment, while others enjoyed catching fish with their bare hands.

After about 30 minutes, the first barbs and shark minnows were brought to shore, where they were weighed and sold to vendors.

“I come here every year when the spillway gates close, but there is much less fish this year compared to the previous,” said Duc Hieu, a Dong Nai local.

“But I’m not complaining, since it’s 'heaven’s fortune' after all,” he said.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!