People bring food home for their relatives after the flood recedes - Photo: MINH CHIEN
Our people have a saying "Gourd, please love the squash too". When there is a natural disaster or accident, that saying becomes a clear reality.
This year, the floods in the Central region were huge and incredibly fast. When the muddy waters rolled through the Central region’s fields, the roofs were only left bobbing on the raging waves, and the cries for help were lost in the middle of the night, I saw the voices and actions of so many people, using all their abilities, taking real action to quickly rescue and support the people in the flooded areas.
In times of disaster, sharing is even more sincere: the giver does not seek fame, the receiver feels the heart more than the material.
Only when you are present at the relief collection points can you see the simple, direct and unadorned affection. The silent help comes from everyone, rich or poor, from a bicycle carrying a box of noodles or a car carrying many bags of goods, helping with bags of rice, life jackets, water tanks, bags of clean clothes and blankets...
Young artist Nguyen Nhat Dan painted a picture of an old man sending a few boxes of instant noodles, with a message for the people of Krong Bong (Dak Lak province) and Phu Yen (old)
Somewhere, in small houses in the middle of the city, there are hands collecting a few hundred thousand dong from their frugal meals to send to the flooded areas. Somewhere, there are groups of young people who make a promise to "help as much as they can", then quietly set off to the flooded areas to bring with them whatever donations they can.
In places that need help, there are backs and hands supporting each old person and child out of flooded houses, there are the bewildered eyes of people who have just been pulled out of the water, there are voices calling out to each other in the pouring rain: "Is anyone still trapped?"..., there are boats rushing into the rough waves to bring people to safety.
People in trouble always believe that someone will help them. They help because they feel uneasy when their fellow countrymen are in trouble. They all share a feeling that is familiar yet new: a quiet but steadfast belief in the solidarity of their fellow countrymen.
A group of people including the elderly and children were brought safely to shore - Photo: TRUNG TAN
It can be seen that this year's relief activities are not as noisy as many previous years, but more urgent and determined.
Activities are run more organized and efficiently. This is thanks to timely information about location, level, necessary goods at hand…
Learning from previous support activities, relief goods are classified at the source, minimizing perishable or unnecessary goods.
Relief teams coordinate with local authorities to quickly get to critical areas. Although relief activities are still largely carried out by volunteer groups, community organizations, and some government agencies, they demonstrate more professionalism and certainty. The government and community coordinate better, reducing the situation of "a surplus in one place and a shortage in another."
Soldiers participate in cleaning up schools in the eastern part of Dak Lak province that were flooded with mud and garbage - Photo: TRUNG TAN
However, as in previous years, we still see that relief is not just a quick contribution from the community, but needs to be more in-depth, fundamental and long-term, only then can we prevent accidents and minimize consequences. Especially the role of the government, needs to be more professional and scientific .
It is necessary to have a specialized agency to prevent and deal with the consequences of natural disasters. It is necessary to immediately establish long-term projects to support livelihoods, restore houses, renovate schools, and ensure safety for children and the elderly.
There needs to be synchronous coordination with the goal of "People's safety is paramount" between agencies (hydroelectricity, irrigation, health, transportation, construction...) and local authorities.
This close relationship must be regular and "urgently activated" when there are natural disasters such as storms and floods. Because the responsibility for "rescue" belongs first and foremost to the government.
I think the strength of this nation lies not only in great things, but also in the small kindnesses we have every day. In the midst of floods and rains, in the midst of immeasurable losses, it is that kindness that lights up the warm sunshine in people’s hearts. And every time I see that sunshine, even through a photo or a small story, I believe that there are still many things for us to love more than these people, this country.
Today's society is more skeptical, because there have been cases of taking advantage of kindness and volunteering, fake news on social networks, and "polishing" of names in the media... But in that cautious atmosphere, there are still many people who have persistently done charity work for decades, without needing to be named. Kindness and solidarity with fellow countrymen do not depend on names or media, but lie deep in the souls of the Vietnamese people.
It is also a precious heritage of Vietnamese culture.
November 23, 2025 - Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day.
Join hands to support the people of Central Vietnam
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NGUYEN THI HAU
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giua-bao-mat-mat-nghia-dong-bao-thap-len-am-ap-20251123101235036.htm
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