On the morning of 12/10, Nguyen Duc Cuong’s pho and noodle stall in Quang Truong village, located approximately 200 m from the chicken farm owned by Cong ty Tong hop Dien mat troi, was deserted despite being peak hours. Seeing no customers, he and his wife closed their shop early.

Nearly 20 sticky traps around the stall were covered with flies. "After barely one hour, the traps were completely full of flies. When a trap runs out of space, we throw it away and replace it", Cuong said. He noted that the swarming flies cause customers to turn away as soon as they arrive.

Previously, the stall sold around 80 bowls of pho and noodles each morning, but now only about 20. Cuong’s family spends nearly 100.000 dong daily on sticky traps and repellent sprays to combat the flies.

Nguyen Duc Cuong places a sticky trap, completely covered in flies. Photo: Dac Thanh

Approximately 200 m away, Hoang Minh Hao’s family has also been suffering from flies entering their home in recent days. He explained that the situation improves on sunny days, but after several days of continuous rain, flies appear in thick swarms, entering their home like bees.

The farm is situated north of the residential area, with a solar power system installed above and chickens raised below. According to Hao, the area previously only had a solar power system, and residents’ lives were normal. For the past three years, since the site transitioned to livestock farming, flies, gnats, and foul odors have begun to affect surrounding households.

Residents reported that about 50 households living along National Highway 12A, stretching from the cement factory to the Hoa Hang tile warehouse, are currently affected. Flies enter homes, landing densely on food and clinging to bowls and chopsticks during meals. Many families must keep their doors and windows shut day and night; the smell of chicken manure from the farm also spreads through the wind to the residential area.

The local population primarily uses well water, leading to concerns that rainwater from the hillside farm area could carry chicken manure and waste, seep into the ground, and contaminate their domestic water supply. They have urged authorities to inspect and address the fly infestation and foul odors to stabilize their lives promptly.

"Every time flies swarm into homes, residents report it to the authorities, and the farm takes action, but after a while, the situation recurs and is not thoroughly resolved", Hao stated, adding that while spraying reduces flies, they soon reappear.

Underneath the solar power system is a chicken farm, approximately 200 m from the residential area. Photo: Dac Thanh

Tran Thanh Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tan Gianh commune, noted that last year, when the farm raised cows, the residential area also experienced numerous flies. Authorities worked with the facility, which then stopped raising cows and switched to chickens.

In recent days, following received complaints, the commune established an inspection team. Initial findings confirmed the presence of flies, impacting the daily lives of surrounding households.

The commune has instructed the farm to: spray insecticide, disinfect, and decontaminate the livestock area and affected locations as guided by specialized agencies; clean stables; collect and properly dispose of manure and waste; and implement measures to prevent fly breeding. These remedial actions must be completed by 17/10.

Dac Thanh