Residents in Hanoi have still taken their daily swims in the Hong (Red) River in the past days despite potential dangers posed by an increase in water levels brought about by the discharge of a Chinese hydropower dam.

Rising water along the Hong River, which flows through northern Vietnam from China before discharging into the Gulf of Tonkin, was a result of water discharge at Madushan Dam in China’s Yunnan Province on August 20.

The incident was intensified by an increase in rainfall in northern Vietnam from August 20 to 22.

Along the Hong River section in Hanoi, water has yet to reach an alarming level, but fast-flowing currents in multiple locations can be dangerous.

Despite the risks, local residents, including children, have been swimming along the river on a daily basis, according to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters.

The river’s water level has been about 1.5 times higher than usual, said Thu Hue, a Hanoi citizen.

“I swim in this river every day. I don’t think such an increase in water levels is dangerous,” Hue stated.

“There are three locations where people can have a swim along the Hong River. This is the shallowest among the three."

To ensure safety, Hue tied an empty plastic canister to her body and used it as a lifebuoy.

During a meeting on Friday, Nguyen Duc Quang, director of the Agency for Disaster Response and Relief (ADRR) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that water discharge by Madushan Dam would not have much impact on Vietnam.

However, the ADRR has requested authorities in the northern provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Phu Tho to take preventive measures to ensure the safety of residential areas, transport activities, and dike systems.

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