When the the rainy season comes, raising the waters along the banks of the Red River in Hanoi, around a dozen of floating houses anchor near the riverside to keep their homes from floating downstream.
Floating houses of Red River
The families who live on the river are from various locations and life on there is somewhat transient. Most houses are only a few square metres and are made from materials such as particle board, tin and oil drums. These makeshift rafts can be moved to land in case of bad weather.
Mr. Hoc, 50, from Hung Yen Province, said he has lived in the area since 1991. He is the self-proclaimed pioneer of reclaiming the land by Red River, which the residents now use to grow fruits and vegetables. Thanks to tiny farm, he was able to send his three children to school. The eldest two have found jobs, while the youngest is still in the fourth grade.
Vu Kim Xuyen, 53, came in 1997. Now, her six-member family lives in a small floating house. Because he lacks a birth of certificate and residence papers, her 12-year old son is only in the third grade.
Mrs. Xuyen has lived in this house for more than 10 years
Residents of the floating village face a number of challenges besides water levels and weather. But even though they have to deal with large amounts of waste and other unhealthy environmental factors, they find small ways to make life comfortable. In fact, most of the homes are equipped with electricity.
A representative of Phuc Xa Ward People’s Committee, said these households are illegal because they live a nomadic lifestyle. The representative went on to say that they do not have documents for residency, which causes management problems for the ward. The ward has set up a centre to teach the families’ children free of charge.
Children without birth certificates go to school
Boats are main means of transport
Houses tied to shore by rope
Houses' entrances
Daily meals consist mostly of fish caught from the river
