The flood returned early this year, at the beginning of the sixth lunar month, but it is much lower than in previous years.

People living upstream Mekong Delta look forward to the end of September every year, when the red alluvial water flows from the Great Lake (Cambodia) to Việt Nam, bringing with it an abundance of fish and other aquatic animals.

Traders and villagers trade fish at Kênh Ruột Market in An Giang Province.

Over the years, the Mekong River has provided much for people living there, but recently the water has been low, causing shrimp, fish and other seafood catches to plummet.

Kinh Ruột floating fish market in An Giang is held every flood season.

As their main source of living has been significantly reduced, the locals have been struggling to make ends meet. Their lives have become precarious and they have to work harder to catch fish. Many have changed jobs or work far away from their hometowns. VNS

Immersed in the water all night to catch fish, Nguyễn Văn Mía from Phú Nghĩa Village, An Giang Province earns VNĐ300,000-400,000 (US$13-17) which is sufficient to cover his family's needs.

Linh (Henicorhynchus) fish, a speciality only available in the flood season in the Mekong Delta region.