Spreading the spirit and examples of bravery in rescuing people during floods.

Amidst the raging waters, Phan Van Thanh (born in 1989), the head of the local security and order protection team, participated in saving three young children, only to be tragically killed himself. More than a month after his passing, his courageous spirit has become a movement to emulate and is gradually spreading far and wide...

The Party Committee and local government of Thanh Cong commune held a meeting to discuss and implement a movement to learn from and emulate the courageous actions of Phan Van Thanh.

In the days following the floods, Xuan Ha 1 hamlet (Thanh Cong commune) has returned to peace, but whenever people pass through the fields, they still talk about Phan Van Thanh, the man who bravely rushed into the water, sacrificing himself to save three young children from drowning.

On the altar in the middle of the small house in Xuan Ha 1 hamlet, the Medal of Courage gleamed under the yellow light. Looking at her son's portrait with teary eyes, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thao trembled: "He was on duty during the storm and floods for three days straight. His wife works as a factory worker, so she asked me to look after our two daughters. The day before, he had spent the whole day wading through water searching for victims. On October 1st, he was still on duty; we didn't even get to see each other early in the morning. Who would have thought..."

That day, while on duty responding to the floods, he spotted three young children being swept away by the floodwaters on a rural road through a field. Without hesitation, Phan Van Thanh and two nearby residents joined the rescue effort. After safely rescuing two of the children, he returned to save the third, but was exhausted. He only managed to alert others to help the child before he was swept away by the flood.

His body was later found, about a hundred meters from where the incident occurred. He passed away at the young age of 36, leaving behind his wife and two young children. His courageous and selfless act of saving lives has touched the hearts of many people both inside and outside the province.

In Mrs. Thao's memory, Mr. Thanh was a filial son, a responsible husband and father, and a loving family man. He was always well-liked by the villagers and even the children in the village.

Mr. Nguyen Van Van, Secretary of the Party Branch of Xuan Ha 1 hamlet, shared: "Mr. Thanh is an exemplary citizen, an outstanding individual being considered for Party membership. Mr. Thanh is kind-hearted and always enthusiastic in helping his neighbors and villagers."

On October 20, 2025, the President of Vietnam posthumously awarded the Medal of Courage to Phan Văn Thành.

Previously, on October 19, 2025, the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province issued Decision No. 1571/QD-UBND on launching a movement to learn from the courageous example of Phan Van Thanh in saving lives.

In Thanh Cong commune, his courageous and compassionate spirit is integrated into the activities of the Party branch and mass organizations, as well as into every local propaganda campaign.

Representatives from the local government and organizations of Thanh Cong commune visited and offered condolences to the family of Mr. Phan Van Thanh.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Cong commune, said: Following the courageous act of saving three young children by Mr. Phan Van Thanh, the local government coordinated with specialized units to publish an article about Mr. Thanh's exemplary actions on the commune's electronic information portal and the Zalo groups of the community's digital technology team.

Along with posthumously awarding Certificates of Merit, the local authorities are finalizing the dossiers to propose recognizing the martyrs, and will continue to widely disseminate this spirit of living a virtuous life to schools and residential areas.

Along with the local authorities, the Thanh Cong Commune Police force also considers this a highlight in the political and ideological education of its officers and soldiers. Captain Nguyen Huu Ha, Deputy Head of the Thanh Cong Commune Police, shared: "Comrade Phan Van Thanh's courageous heart is a shining example for us to learn from and emulate."

The commune police force has been carrying out propaganda and training on disaster prevention, rescue, and relief skills for the people; at the same time, they identify and commend good deeds to spread the spirit of living for the community...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202510/lan-toa-tinh-than-guong-dung-cam-cuu-nguoi-trong-mua-lu-9b77680/