The incident occurred around 9 PM on November 19th, when floodwaters from upstream, combined with the release of water from reservoirs, caused a sudden rise in water levels in the area. In the darkness of the night and amidst the raging floodwaters, veteran Nguyen Tien Manh received an urgent call from his neighbor, Thong, asking for help because his house was deeply flooded and only he and his son were home.

Colonel Nguyen Tien Manh, a veteran, is currently receiving treatment at Tam Tri Nha Trang General Hospital.

Despite the rising water and the risk of being swept away, veteran Nguyen Tien Manh immediately grabbed a wooden stick and opened the gate to his neighbor's house. But as soon as he opened it, the tremendous pressure of the water suddenly pushed the gate open, throwing him nearly 10 meters away.

Thanks to his experience and the courage of a soldier, he struggled for about 30 minutes against the strong current, using a stick as a support, and finally reached his neighbor's house. Upon arrival, he found Mr. Thong and his son clinging to a mattress, pleading for help. Then, all three tried to break through the ceiling and corrugated iron roof with wooden sticks to escape, but without success.

At that moment, the strong current once again swept him more than 10 meters away. Exhausted, he was fortunate to find a power pole, clinging to it to regain his strength. And with the steely spirit of a veteran, he immediately turned back to continue rescuing the father and son. This time, with the water rising higher than ever, he and his neighbor used an iron bar to break through the iron frame of the skylight and escaped to safety on the roof. All three sat on the roof all night waiting for the rescue team to arrive on the morning of November 20th.

During the process of breaking through the iron frame of the skylight to create an escape route, Colonel Nguyen Tien Manh was injured in the leg. On the morning of November 20th, he was taken by rescue forces and relatives to Tam Tri Nha Trang General Hospital for bandaging and treatment. His actions were not only a momentary act of bravery but also a continuation of the noble tradition of the Ho Chi Minh Army. While in the military, Colonel Nguyen Tien Manh was known for his dedication to his work, earning the respect and admiration of his comrades. He was also a leading figure in implementing the "Study and follow the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh " campaign.

Text and photos: MAI VAN DONG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/cuu-chien-binh-vuot-lu-cuu-dan-1013278