A dream come true by the Da Nhim River.

Standing amidst his newly built house, surrounded by soldiers busily moving bricks, mixing mortar, assembling rebar, pouring pillars, and constructing walls, 40-year-old Do Bao Nguyen, residing at 43 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Moi Hamlet, D'ran Commune, Lam Dong Province, felt a sense of rebirth in the profound bond between the military and the people. "For me, this is like a dream come true. I don't know what to say except to express my sincere gratitude to the government and the officers and soldiers who have given my family a new life after losing everything in the historic flood," Nguyen shared emotionally.

The homes of local residents were swept away, leaving only their foundations after the historic floods in D'ran commune.
Mr. Do Bao Nguyen in his family home after the flood.

Mr. Nguyen's family home is located on a street next to the Da Nhim River, directly opposite the spillway of the Don Duong hydroelectric reservoir, about 2km away as the crow flies. After days of heavy rain, on the night of November 19th and the early morning of November 20th, the Don Duong reservoir released water at a record rate of 2,000 m³/second. From above, the stream of water, like a giant, sharp arrow, shot straight towards the street where his family lives.

In that moment, everyone only had time to escape. The street became a fragile wall against the monstrous water. The water toppled walls and door frames, sweeping all the furniture and goods out onto the street before carrying them downstream towards the Don Duong bridge. Old, dilapidated houses like Mr. Nguyen's were completely destroyed and swept away. At noon on November 20th, Mr. Nguyen returned to his house, only to find a pile of rubble. Nearby, two houses belonging to the families of Mr. Do Phu Quy, 67, and Ms. Do Minh Phuong, 57, were also destroyed by the flood.

Mr. Tran Dinh Hieu, from Quang Lac village, D'ran commune, stands beside his house, which is now just a pile of rubble after the flood.
Another house in Quang Lac village, D'ran commune, was destroyed by the flood.

Born and raised in the D'ran region, Mr. Nguyen said this was the first time in his life he had witnessed such a large flood causing such severe damage.

During the recent historic floods, 17 newly built houses in D'ran commune were completely destroyed, 29 houses were damaged, and over 1300 hectares of crops, roads, schools, and health stations were damaged. For some disadvantaged households, rebuilding their homes was beyond their means.

Responding to the "Quang Trung Campaign" launched by the Prime Minister , on the morning of December 6th, officers and soldiers from units under Military Region 7, including the 5th Division, the 25th Brigade, the Lam Dong Provincial Military Command, Dong Hai Company, and Tay Nam Company, officially arrived in D'ran commune to begin the construction and repair of houses for households affected by the disaster. The military contributed labor, and the State contributed funds. Funding for house construction was provided by the local government, specifically: For households whose houses were destroyed, Lam Dong province provided 120 million VND per house, and D'ran commune provided 40 million VND per house. Households whose houses were damaged and require repairs received 20-40 million VND per house, depending on the extent of the damage. Mr. Nguyen Bao Nguyen's family was one of the households receiving support for a new house during this period.

Laying the foundation for new houses to be donated to the local people.
The first batch of concrete is being poured for the construction of a house for Mr. Do Bao Nguyen in Duong Moi village, D'ran commune.

Rapid construction of houses for the people, achieving "three bests"

At the construction site of Mr. Mai Ngoc Hiep's house in Lac Thien 1 village, D'ran commune, even as dusk fell, the officers and soldiers continued their work. On the scaffolding, a group of workers were diligently completing a half-finished wall to be ready for the roof installation the following morning. Below, the remaining workers were busily mixing mortar, moving bricks, and cleaning up. In just one week, from the old foundation cluttered with earth, stones, and garbage, a new, sturdy 75m² house gradually took shape at a speed that surprised and impressed many villagers.

Talk to the homeowner before starting construction.
Prepare the steel frame.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Quoc Huy, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the 5th Division, said that following the directives of the Party Committee and the Command of Military Region 7, 60 officers, soldiers, engineers, and workers from the 5th Division and Tay Nam Company (Military Region 7) were present in D'ran commune to participate in building two houses for the people. To educate officers and soldiers and raise their awareness of the purpose, significance, and requirements of this task, the unit launched a high-intensity emulation campaign with the theme "Competing to complete the best, safest, and fastest house construction for people affected by floods." Accordingly, 100% of officers and soldiers understood the task well, were not afraid of difficulties and hardships, and were ready to work overtime to achieve and exceed the set plan. They concentrated maximum forces and resources to support the people in construction, ensuring that the designs, quality, and safety were met. We are striving to complete the project as soon as possible so that the people can have new homes and celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

The house foundation has been built; the ground has been filled in.
The first bricks.

At the construction site of Mr. Do Bao Nguyen's family home, dozens of officers, soldiers, and workers from the 25th Engineering Brigade and Dong Hai Company are competing to accelerate progress, striving to complete the house ahead of schedule. Watching each brick and wall of the new house gradually being completed, Mr. Do Bao Nguyen's eyes lit up with indescribable joy. "The soldiers are building the house so quickly, and they are very careful, sturdy, and beautiful. Seeing everyone working so hard, sometimes forgetting to eat and rest, I am very moved. I will forever cherish this kindness, thank you very much to the soldiers," Mr. Do Bao Nguyen said emotionally.

One day's work, one more home.
Even though it was dark, they still tried to finish the work.

Major Le Trung Tuan, Deputy Political Officer of Battalion 741, Brigade 25, said that to successfully carry out the "Quang Trung Campaign," the unit launched a high-intensity emulation campaign titled "Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with the People, Standing Firm After the Flood." Before and throughout the mission in D'ran, the unit consistently instructed officers and soldiers to strictly obey the commander's orders, maintain military-civilian solidarity, and work until the job is done, regardless of the time, working day and night if necessary. "For us, each house is not just a warm home but also embodies the responsibility and deep concern of the unit's officers and soldiers for the people in the flood-affected area. We only return to the unit when the people have new homes and are satisfied with the new homes built by the army," Major Le Trung Tuan affirmed.

The walls are almost finished, we're preparing to put on the roof.
New "three best" houses built by soldiers are springing up in the flood-prone D'ran area.

On January 19, 2026, the houses built and repaired by officers and soldiers of Military Region 7 for the people of D'ran commune, who were damaged by floods, will be officially completed. From this milestone, the lives of many families will enter a new chapter. In this long-awaited moment, the image of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's Army will become even more beautiful and deeply etched in the hearts of the officials and people of D'ran.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/dung-lai-cuoc-doi-ben-song-da-nhim-1016836