Comradeship, brotherhood

Tens of thousands of officers and soldiers braved the rain and floods to protect, assist, and relocate people's property, regardless of the hardship and danger.

Making every effort to support our compatriots.

A devastating flash flood struck Lang Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district ( Lao Cai province) on September 10th, burying the entire village – home to 37 households with 158 residents. As of 5:30 PM on September 11th, the flash flood had claimed 34 lives, injured 17, and left 61 missing.

Currently, the road to Lang Nu village is blocked, especially in the area affected by flash floods, completely isolating the people. On the night of September 10th and the early morning of September 11th, Lieutenant General Pham Hong Chuong, Commander of Military Region 2, along with the Secretary of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee, Dang Xuan Phong, agreed on a plan to access the scene and open a single access road to bring troops and equipment in to rescue the people.

The Commander of Military Region 2 deployed 300 officers and soldiers to the Phuc Khanh area; of which 100 soldiers searched along the Nu stream from the Chay River inland, and 200 soldiers searched directly in the landslide area. In addition, approximately 300 police, military, and militia forces from Bao Yen district and Lao Cai province also participated in the search, guided the way, and provided information.

Rescue and relief efforts were carried out by the forces as quickly and urgently as possible, without hesitation or fear of danger, to assist the people.

Police officers assist people affected by the floods. Photo: Nguyen Tung — Military forces assist people affected by floods. Photo: Nguyen Tung

For example, in the Phong Chau bridge collapse ( Phu Tho province ) on September 9th, police and military forces were immediately present to implement rescue and relief plans. In addition, the Engineering Corps surveyed the river flow to proceed with the installation of a pontoon bridge when conditions permit, ensuring the movement and daily life of the people. Lieutenant General Pham Duc Duyen – Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Military Region 2 – emphasized: “The unit is ready to cooperate with the Engineering Corps in surveying and installing the pontoon bridge at the foot of the Phong Chau bridge. This is being carried out with the highest level of effort and responsibility, working day and night, including holidays, to complete the pontoon bridge installation as soon as possible.”

The above are just some of the many actions taken by authorities in urgently responding to the rain and floods to provide relief to affected people. In the context of widespread flooding, authorities such as the police, military, and other rescue units quickly swung into action, ensuring the safety of people's lives and property.

In response to the storm and flood situation, the police force mobilized more than 100,000 people, prepared more than 27,000 land vehicles, more than 2,200 watercraft, and thousands of other specialized equipment to carry out rescue operations and assist people in overcoming the consequences of the storm and floods, and to help them stabilize their lives as soon as possible.

The Border Guard deployed more than 3,100 officers and soldiers, and over 220 vehicles, coordinating with local authorities and functional forces to respond to Typhoon No. 3. After the typhoon, units deployed thousands of officers and soldiers and hundreds of vehicles to coordinate with relevant agencies in addressing the consequences.

And there have also been acts of selflessness and sacrifice by functional forces while on duty during the storms and floods. This includes the sacrifice of Captain Nguyen Dinh Khiem (born in 1997), Company Commander of Company 3, Battalion 1, Brigade 513, Military Region 3, Ministry of National Defense. Captain Nguyen Dinh Khiem acted bravely and sacrificed himself while on duty preventing and combating Typhoon No. 3 in 2024 in Luc Hon commune, Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province. Another example is the sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quoc Hoang (born in 1987) – an officer at Quang Ninh Prison, under the Department of Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Juvenile Detention Centers (Ministry of Public Security). While performing his duty to ensure the safety of inmates and Sub-prison No. 2 in an emergency situation, he was swept away by raging floodwaters.

Despite the difficulties and hardships, tens of thousands of military and police officers are working day and night, regardless of rain or floods, urgently relocating people from areas at risk of serious landslides and flooding, and providing food and water to those affected. All for the peace and safety of the people.

And the images of army officers, police officers, and militia members working day and night to rescue and assist people during the storms and floods have received much affection from the people.

A resilient spirit in overcoming difficulties.

In a letter to officers and soldiers of the entire army and militia nationwide regarding their assistance to the people in preventing, combating, and overcoming the consequences of Typhoon No. 3, General Phan Van Giang – Minister of National Defense – affirmed: With the spirit of "human life is paramount," "wherever there are difficulties and dangers, there are soldiers," and the "four on-the-spot" principle; you comrades must maintain strict combat readiness while organizing forces and resources to promptly be present in critical, difficult, arduous, and dangerous areas, spearheading efforts in flood and storm prevention, search and rescue, and helping the people overcome the consequences of Typhoon No. 3.

In the Ministry of Public Security's dispatch on focusing on overcoming the consequences of Typhoon No. 3 and the subsequent floods, the Ministry of Public Security clearly stated the requirement for local police directors to coordinate and organize disaster response and recovery efforts in their areas according to the "four on-the-spot" principle, with a proactive approach to ensure the safety of lives and minimize damage to people's and the State's property; to implement all plans to support the transportation of food, dried food, bread, milk, drinking water, relief supplies, etc., to people in areas still cut off, especially households in isolated areas; to arrange temporary housing for households that have lost their homes, ensuring that absolutely no one goes hungry, cold, or homeless; and to handle sanitation and environmental protection to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

Officers and students from the School of Culture - Training Department, Ministry of Public Security, transport food to support people in flood-stricken areas. Photo: Nguyen Tung.

National Assembly representative Bui Hoai Son – Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education – believes that the rescue and relief efforts of the functional forces and the support activities of people nationwide are not only beautiful images, but also symbols of the warm and profound human compassion in the heart of the Vietnamese people, demonstrating the spirit of "the good leaf protects the bad leaf".

These acts of kindness are not only acts of assistance in times of crisis, but also a testament to the power of solidarity, affirming that Vietnamese people are always ready to support and share with each other in all circumstances. Every action, big or small, spreads inspiration and awakens the spirit of mutual support and compassion in society. This demonstrates the unity, strength of the community, and the resilient spirit to overcome difficulties.

During the floods, the spirit of camaraderie and solidarity among the Vietnamese people once again affirmed the noble values of the nation. The tireless efforts of rescue forces, along with the collective support of the community, brought hope and faith to those severely affected by the floods. It is in times of hardship that the spirit of unity and sharing becomes even stronger, making us even more proud of a resilient and compassionate Vietnamese nation.

Millions of helping hands reach out to our compatriots affected by storms and floods.

Storms and floods have caused severe damage and disruption in many provinces in the northern region.

"A little help when someone is hungry is worth more than a lot when they are full." With the spirit of mutual support and compassion that has been a beautiful image of the Vietnamese people for generations, the Golden Heart Charity Fund calls on philanthropists both domestically and internationally to join hands in sharing with those affected by the floods… to help them stabilize their lives as soon as possible.

The Golden Heart Charitable Foundation sincerely thanks the valuable support of agencies, businesses, and philanthropists both domestically and internationally.

All donations should be sent to: Tam Long Vang Social Charity Fund, 51 Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Telephone: 024.39232756. Account number (STK): 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi. Account number: 0021000303088 – at Vietcombank – Hanoi Branch, Account number: 12410001122556 – at BIDV – Hoan Kiem Branch.

Or scan the following QR code: