(VOVWORLD) - From November 16 to November 22, Vietnam’s south-central provinces were battered by the most devastating floods in decades. More than 100 people are dead or missing in Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong, and losses are estimated at more than 341 million USD. In response, the entire political system and people nationwide are working with two overriding priorities – protect lives and restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Clear directives and decisive action are helping flood-hit communities stabilize their lives, demonstrating Vietnam’s commitment to protecting its citizens at all cost.
 On November 20 evening (Hanoi time), from Algeria, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held an online meeting with provinces and cities back home to deploy rescue plans and overcome the consequences of natural disasters. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA) |
Emergency forces have been deployed at maximum capacity for on-site rescue and immediate recovery efforts as soon as the waters recede. The central government has allocated more than 91 million USD the four affected provinces.
Special assistance mechanism activated
The Politburo and the Party Secretariat have established working missions, led by senior Party and State leaders, to inspect, guide, and accelerate flood-recovery efforts.
A nationwide special support mechanism has been activated, with the Politburo assigning specific provinces and cities to provide direct assistance of food, essential goods, clothing, medicine, and medical personnel. Hanoi has been tasked to assist Gia Lai, Ho Chi Minh City to assist Khanh Hoa, Hai Phong to assist Dak Lak, and Quang Ninh to assist Lam Dong.
The assisting localities are among Vietnam’s strongest localities financially and organizationally, and their rapid, decisive response has proved the effectiveness of the mechanism. Ho Chi Minh City immediately launched an emergency relief campaign for Khanh Hoa, delivering 1.9 million USD, setting up field kitchens providing 12,000 meals per day for residents and rescue teams, and sending 200 tons of supplies including life jackets, medical kits, clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. The municipal health sector is sending 30-50 doctors a day.
Dr. Pham Minh Cong of the HCM City Young Doctors Association said: “In just two hours, we were ready and left the same night. We wanted to share the hardship of people in flood-hit areas and give them the strength to get through this ordeal.”
Hai Phong sent 2.5 tons of Chloramine an 400,000 disinfectant tablets, and prepared 300–500 medical personnel for immediate deployment to Dak Lak.
From Johannesburg, South Africa, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired two online emergency meetings to direct response and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Chinh said: “The provincial Party Secretaries and Chairpersons of Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, and Lam Dong need to stay in close touch with their constituents and follow the instructions of higher authorities. They must quickly stabilize public security, livelihoods, and daily life, restore production and business, and propose mechanisms and policies to overcome this disaster as soon as possible.”
 Although floodwaters have receded, many houses along the Cai Phan Rang River (Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa) are still flooded (Photo: Nguyen Thanh/VNA) |
Post-flood reconstruction
People across Vietnam are donating essential goods and food to support flood-hit communities:
“There was severe flooding and people have no food or drinking water, but I can’t go there myself, so I hope the HCM City Fatherland Front and the Red Cross will deliver these donations to those affected. Hopefully the aid will reach everyone quickly and help as much as possible.”
“I sent some essential items to people in the flood-hit region and gave money to the provincial Fatherland Front. I’ve sent warm clothes for the children there, too.”
Thanks to timely support from authorities and the community, the affected residents are getting over the worst of it.
Ho Thi Phi Yen of Dak Lak province, said: “Without the rescue teams, we wouldn’t have survived. The water submerged everything. Those who came to save us deserve recognition.”
The south-central region will now begin the long process of rebuilding. Agencies and organizations nationwide have launched fundraising drives to help repair homes and schools, rebuild infrastructure, and stabilize livelihoods. As these acts of solidarity show, Vietnam’s strength lies in standing together in times of disaster and hardship.