The Pha Tram Festival

Nguyen Hai

The Pond-draining Festival, or “Pha Tram,” in Tra Loc Village, Vinh Dinh Commune, is one of the most distinctive folk celebrations in coastal Quang Tri. Deeply rooted in the village’s centuries-old history and way of life, it reflects the traditions and livelihood of its people.

According to village elders, the festival has been held for over 300 years. It began as a farming tradition: after each harvest, locals would drain the low-lying ponds, known as “tram,” to catch fish and clean the aquatic environment.

Held each year in mid-July of the lunar calendar, just after the summer–autumn harvest, the festival coincides with the natural receding of pond water – ideal for draining and fishing using traditional tools like nom (conical bamboo traps), ro (hand-lift nets), and rap (box-shaped bamboo traps). Young people who have left the area to work in the city return home to join the villagers, filling the day with a bustling, joyful atmosphere.

Village elders launch the festivities by leading solemn cao giang son rites. Offerings are made in gratitude to Heaven and Earth and to the ancestors, with prayers for abundant harvests and favorable weather. These rituals are followed by the fun part as people pour into the pond, traps in hand and feet squelching through the mud. To the sound of laughter and cheers, they compete to catch fish, shrimp, and crabs. Notably, only large, mature fish are kept, while small ones are released. Despite the competitive spirit, no one quarrels. The catch is sold to visitors, and the proceeds help fund a joyful communal meal for the whole village.