A flock of ducks prepares for the approximately one-month-long field-running season, when the water rises over the fields, wild rice blooms, and the flood season reaches its peak.

In early August, floodwaters had arrived across many fields in the upstream areas of Dong Thap Province. In Thuong Phuoc Commune, where the fields are slightly higher than neighboring areas, the water only reached knee height, allowing locals to graze buffalo and release ducks, creating a simple yet distinctive beauty of the Mekong Delta.

Thuong Phuoc is one of the communes in Dong Thap that welcomes the early floodwaters. In low-lying areas, the water has already covered the fields, while in higher areas, it has just begun to rise.

After the summer-autumn rice harvest more than two weeks ago, young rice shoots have turned lush green, and farmers have taken the opportunity to graze buffalo and release ducks.

In some higher areas of Thuong Phuoc Commune, Dong Thap Province, the water has not yet risen, so locals let their buffalo graze on grass.

When wild rice blooms, farmers release ducks to feed from one field to another, helping to save on feed costs. Additionally, ducks that forage naturally on wild rice tend to lay more eggs, and the duck eggs are tastier compared to other seasons.

Every morning, herds of buffalo leisurely graze on the young rice shoots in the fields, and in the evening, their owners lead them back home, creating a peaceful scene in the riverine West. However, the buffalo grazing season only lasts 1 to 3 weeks before the water rises too high.

For this reason, every flood season is associated with images of ducks running in the fields and buffalo grazing, becoming cherished memories for the people of the Mekong Delta.

Young rice shoots after the summer-autumn harvest provide ideal food for buffalo herds.
Buffalo grazing in the fields of Thuong Phuoc Commune at the start of the flood season.
Buffalo freely bathe and graze in the freshly flooded fields.
The sight of buffalo grazing in the flooded fields of the Mekong Delta seems like a distant memory.
As water rises to the edges of the fields, locals in Thuong Phuoc Commune begin releasing ducks and setting up fishing nets.
A duck owner sets up nets on a higher field area for ducks to lay eggs.
A flock of ducks foraging in the fields, waiting for the floodwaters to rise.

Dong Thap Province

Dong Thap Province, located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is known for its lush landscapes, fertile rice fields, and vibrant wetlands, including the renowned Tram Chim National Park—a key habitat for rare birds like the Sarus Crane. Historically, it played a significant role during the Vietnam War as a revolutionary base. The province also holds cultural importance with relics like the Go Thap archaeological site, which reveals traces of the ancient Óc Eo civilization.

Thuong Phuoc Commune

Thuong Phuoc Commune is a rural area in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, known for its scenic landscapes along the Mekong River. Historically, it has been an agricultural region, with a focus on rice farming and fishing, reflecting the traditional livelihoods of the Mekong Delta. The area also holds cultural significance, with local festivals and customs tied to the riverine way of life.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, located in southern Vietnam, is a vast and fertile region formed by the Mekong River’s sprawling network of tributaries. Known as the “Rice Bowl of Vietnam,” it has played a vital role in agriculture and trade for centuries, with a history shaped by Khmer, Vietnamese, and French colonial influences. Today, it is renowned for its lush landscapes, floating markets, and vibrant river-based culture.