The tradition of releasing carp and other objects into rivers on the Day of Kitchen God (the 23rd of the lunar December) has caused more pollution to rivers, including Red River.
The belief is Kitchen Gods drive carps to Heaven and brief Ngoc Hoang (the Jade Emperor) on the life of the owner of the house where they stay, and pray for luck, prosperity and happiness for all members of the household.
After worship families often release carp, ashes, incense burners and alters into rivers for the Kitchen God.
On Kitchen God Day, a group of students in Hanoi gathered at Thanh Cong Lake area to collect waste after people put votive objects into the water.
From early morning, they arrived at the lake to display slogans on environmental protection. Under each slogan is a bag for people to put waste into. They also go around the lake to help raise awareness on protecting the environment.
People rush to release carp into the Red River
Carp and many worshiping objects thrown into the river
Boats wait under Long Bien Bridge to catch carps
Boat hull full of carp
Plastic bags
Polluted water
Students collecting waste
Calling for the environmental protection
Slogans