The Cang River region is covered in silver water during the rainy season.

QTO - Every year, the Càng region witnesses the rise and fall of floodwaters several times. The ebb and flow of floods has become an annual pattern during the flood season in this low-lying area, often described as a miniature "Mekong Delta" in the south of Quang Tri province. Therefore, the people here have, for generations, gained experience and can live peacefully with and adapt well to floods without the same pressure as in other areas…

Báo Quảng Trị•09/11/2025

Adapting to floods

In early November, the Càng area (consisting of small villages and hamlets rising like "islands" amidst the vast flooded fields of the former Hai Lang district) was covered in a silvery expanse of water. Floodwaters still lapped at the edge of the Hai Lang flood bypass road, which crosses the low-lying fields – the highest and driest road in the area – a vital transportation route for the local people. Since the floods caused by Typhoon Bualoi in early October, the Càng area has remained continuously submerged, and transportation in many of these "islands," such as Hoi Dien, Hung Nhon, An Tho, Phu Kinh, My Chanh (Nam Hai Lang commune), Cay Da, Trung Don, and Phuoc Dien (Dien Sanh commune), relies mainly on small boats and canoes.

Viewed from above, the Cang area is dotted with rows of trees and tall rooftops amidst the sea of water - Photo: D.V.

Mr. Vo Van An (70 years old) was born and raised in Cang Hung Nhon. To this day, he still lives and is attached to his "oasis" hometown. Speaking about the flood season, Mr. An said casually: "It's normal, almost every year the Cang area is flooded for a few days to a week. The people here are too used to the flood season with water coming and going several times. This year, the flood lasted almost a month, so it was more difficult."

The Hung Nhon hamlet has been inhabited for several hundred years. According to Mr. An, since ancient times, his ancestors and many other families were chosen by the village to live in this hamlet to guard the rice fields. Gradually, their descendants multiplied and continued their connection to this land until his generation and that of his children. Currently, there are about 20 families living in the Hung Nhon hamlet. This year, the floodwaters rose so high that they almost completely submerged the hamlets. Looking from above, only the rooftops and rows of trees are visible in the distance.

Not far away, Cang Hoi Dien was also deeply flooded, with only the faint outline of the Catholic church bell tower visible in the distance. Cang Hoi Dien has a strong agricultural mechanization movement. Many households here have purchased agricultural machinery such as plows and combine harvesters. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Van (47 years old) excitedly showed off his brand-new red Kubota plow, worth 340 million VND, purchased during the last harvest season. He said it was an asset that he and his wife were very happy to have bought with money from their rice harvests. With his feet resting on the edge of the water in his yard, looking at the "lineup" of plows and combine harvesters that had been moved to a relatively high and dry outbuilding, Mr. Van said: "Every year at this time, the water floods for a few days, sometimes more than a week. Therefore, my family moves the machinery and assets to higher ground. When the water recedes, we change the oil and grease, maintain the machinery, and then start the winter-spring crop. In general, we're used to it, so we're not too worried. Here, people fear storms more than floods."

The vast Cang River region amidst the sea - Photo: D.V.

Although they face several floods each year, the people in the riverside areas are not overly stressed because they have accumulated considerable experience in coping with them. Before each rainy season, people in the riverside areas usually prepare backup lights, flashlights, gasoline, and batteries; they stock up on dry food, condiments, and salt sufficient for 7-10 days. They also proactively elevate their belongings, property, and food supplies. Many families with the means build a second floor or mezzanine for safe shelter during major storms and floods.

Furthermore, it's noticeable that almost every household here owns one or two aluminum boats, essential means of transportation during the flood season. Thanks to this, despite frequent floods, the area suffers minimal loss of life and property. Conversely, as a rule, after the floods, the fields are replenished with a new layer of silt, creating bountiful rice harvests. Then, shrimp and fish also return to thrive, providing the people with additional means of livelihood.

Live generously and with integrity.

The people of Càng are simple, kind, and possess the generous and compassionate nature typical of riverine communities. According to Mr. Ân, many funerals in Càng coincide with periods of flooding, making things quite difficult for the families. However, during those times, the bonds of community are strengthened. “The funerals are always handled with the collective help of neighbors and villagers. Without being asked, everyone pitches in to help the family with the funeral arrangements. The most difficult part is transporting the coffin across the flooded areas to the temporary burial site in nearby villages with higher ground. At those times, large motorboats or two smaller boats joined together are needed to cross the flooded fields. Despite the hardship, everyone is willing and strives to fulfill their filial duties to their neighbors. I find that very valuable,” Mr. Ân shared.

Providing meals and food supplies to people in the Càng area - Photo: D.V.

During the recent floods in late October, the story of young farmer Nguyen Phung in Hung Nhon village, Nam Hai Lang commune, who voluntarily drove his tractor to transport people from deeply flooded areas to safety, was a beautiful and compassionate act. Amidst rising floodwaters that submerged many inter-village and inter-hamlet roads, making travel difficult for residents, Mr. Phung skillfully maneuvered his tractor through the flooded areas to transport people to safety. This meaningful act during a time of intense flooding touched many hearts. On some days, from 5 am to noon, Mr. Phung made eight trips, including transporting one person to a higher-level road to give birth at Hue Central Hospital and another to a sick person...

When asked about his actions, Mr. Phung sincerely shared: "Seeing the rising water and the danger faced by people in the deeply flooded areas, I volunteered to transport them. Wherever my vehicle could reach, I would take people there. The more I can help the people during the floods, the better." Mr. Phung's tractor, originally his means of livelihood, became a "rescue vehicle" during the high floodwaters, helping people in low-lying areas overcome difficulties.

According to Nguyen Duong Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Hai Lang commune, in response to Typhoon No. 10, the local authorities established teams to inspect storm response efforts in the area. They also intensified public awareness campaigns through the loudspeaker system to help people stay vigilant and prepare for the complex storm situation. For low-lying and riverside residential areas prone to flooding, the local authorities have contingency plans in place to assist residents in case of emergencies…

Or consider the image of the "flood-affected delivery teams" with prominent members such as Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan, head of Hoi Dien village; Mr. Cai Van Thoi; young teacher Nguyen Van Huynh; and Messrs. Nguyen Van Cuong, Nguyen Van Hanh, Ho Van Tan, Nguyen Van Nhat… who toiled for days transporting rice and food, navigating through every alley and house in the flooded Hoi Dien and An Tho hamlets to provide supplies to the people. They voluntarily rowed boats through the strong currents to receive rice, instant noodles, milk, and drinking water from charitable organizations to distribute to each household in the hamlets.

During floods, many things may be lost, but what is never swept away is human kindness. Therefore, the simple yet noble deeds of the people of Cang region deserve to be praised and spread as a shining example during the rainy season in Quang Tri .