Once dismissed as a nuisance choking waterways, water hyacinth in the Mekong Delta is now being turned into a source of income for local residents. From harvesting and drying to weaving, the plant is now part of a small but steady livelihood and helps keep canals clear.

Across the delta, dense mats of water hyacinth have long clogged rivers and canals, hindering boat traffic and disrupting the transport of farm produce and irrigation. During the flood season, the fast-growing plant has been a persistent concern for local communities. Rather than treating it solely as waste requiring costly removal, many areas have begun to turn its collection into an income-generating activity.