Mr. Truong Van De and his boat rescued hundreds of people - Photo: TRAN MAI
That was farmer Tran Cong Thanh (50 years old, from Hoa Thinh, formerly Phu Yen province) who used his small boat, which he used daily to carry grass, to struggle against the waves and navigate from house to house to rescue more than 40 people on the night the floodwaters reached their highest point.
It was Truong Van De (31 years old, also from Hoa Thinh, who works in renting sound systems for parties) who, using his small boat, followed the desperate cries for help and rescued nearly a hundred people from his neighborhood.
Mr. Tran Ngoc My (49 years old), along with three relatives (from Hoa Hiep ward, former Phu Yen province), used a motorized basket boat and a three-wheeled vehicle to rescue family members and then hundreds of other people who were struggling on rooftops.
It was Phung Ngoc Dong (37 years old) and hundreds of fishermen at Hon Ro port ( Nha Trang ) who mobilized dozens of small boats and canoes, forming a self-organized rescue team to save hundreds of people trapped in the flood...
And there are many others whose names even those who were rescued didn't have time to learn, and whose noble deeds the press hasn't had a chance to fully document.
They appeared as saviors for people in remote areas amidst the deadly rain at night, when the authorities were unable to reach them.
They braved the swirling floodwaters deep into the villages, dismantling roofs hidden in gardens to rescue the elderly, children, pregnant women, and disabled people... when rescue teams with modern boats could only operate in areas with large open spaces.
After rescuing their fellow villagers, they returned to their busy lives cleaning up after the flood, fishing, mowing grass, and worrying about food and clothing... they had no time to think about what they had done.
Of course, they don't need rewards, but we need to be grateful and acknowledge their contributions. Because if they hadn't intervened, many families would have lost everyone, and many villages would have been left in mourning.
They not only helped reduce the number of casualties, but more importantly, they gave us strong faith in humanity in times of hardship.
To show our gratitude to them, we should not only offer words of thanks and encouraging gifts, but also hold events to honor these unsung heroes, thereby fostering a spirit of chivalry and dedication to the community.
In recognition of their contributions, we propose that relevant central agencies direct local authorities to review and process appropriate extraordinary awards for these heroes, ensuring that no one is overlooked (due to a lack of experience in writing performance reports).
Currently, some localities have awarded certificates of merit to those who rescue people, but for cases where many people are saved in dire circumstances, it is necessary to propose special recognition at a higher level.
Based on the recent historic flood, it is highly advisable to form community rescue teams in each village, with these heroes as the core, so that they do not have to fight alone.
The government should also consider this as a soft force within the grassroots civil defense system, providing support in terms of equipment, training, and mobilization before each rainy season.
This would not only enhance proactive rescue efforts in remote areas, but also foster a spirit of chivalry and community service, ensuring that saviors are readily available when people are in distress.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/can-ghi-cong-nhung-nguoi-hung-tham-lang-20251204085509353.htm
![[Photo] Strengthening character and expertise: Intense training for artillery soldiers.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/30/1782815602541_lu-368-1875-4571-jpg.webp)
