Hamas-Israel conflict: Vietnamese stock up on food, reassured because their homes have 'special' rooms

Many Vietnamese in Israel continue to receive notices of extended layoffs. They are also trying to find ways to buy food to stock up for the coming time.

According to AFP, as of October 9, nearly 1,200 people were killed and thousands more injured in the Hamas-Israel conflict.

Prepare to go into the shelter

Huynh Van Dau (21 years old, from Ben Tre ) came to Ramot as an intern since early September. This area is 250km from the Gaza Strip, about 50km from the location where Lebanon fired rockets. On the morning of October 10, sharing with Thanh Nien , he said he was fine but still had to take time off work as announced.

Trainees like him are ready to go down to the bomb shelter at any time when the alarm goes off. They are also asked by their coordinators not to leave their houses or open the door to anyone.

"Yesterday (October 9), Lebanon fired three rockets about 30km from where I live, but I and everyone around me were still safe. The grocery store was still open as usual, but few people went out, only going out to buy essentials. The shelter was about 10m from where I live, so I was mentally prepared to run there with everyone if anything happened," he said.

Mr. Dau asked a Thai person to take him to buy food reserves.

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Since supplies were running out but he didn’t dare go out alone, Mr. Dau asked a Thai driver to drive him to buy some. Everyone helped each other, and the Thai people nearby were also enthusiastic in supporting Vietnamese trainees like him.

"The labor contract clearly states that if you take time off due to illness, you will receive pay, but if you take time off due to personal reasons, you will not. As for taking time off due to security reasons, I don't know yet whether you will receive pay or not. However, with the current war situation, I think staying at home is reasonable to ensure safety," he said.

Hope peace will return

TD is an agriculture student who just came to Israel 1 month ago. She lives in Sderot city, only 15-20km from Gaza Strip. Currently, the center where she studies has sent food and water to the students. These days, she and 4 other students stay at home. It is an apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 dining room, 1 kitchen, 1 toilet and especially 1 safe room. The safe room is soundproof and bombproof, so in case of need, everyone will take shelter there.

Israeli tanks and military vehicles near the Gaza Strip border on October 9.

REUTERS

"Yesterday (October 9) until now, there were still bomb sounds but I am not as scared as the first day. Everyone downloaded the bomb warning app to their phones to receive notifications when there was an incident. In Vietnam, I knew the political situation here so I was mentally prepared. The first few days I was quite panicked when I heard bomb sounds, now I try to keep in touch with everyone and stay at home, I feel less scared. There is a bomb shelter in the apartment building so when we receive a notification by phone if there is an attack, we will take shelter there," TD confided.

Mr. Nhat (left) has been working in Israel for about 4 years now.

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These days, Ms. H., a Vietnamese living and working in Israel, said that she has been receiving text messages and hundreds of calls and inquiries, so she has not had time to respond to let everyone know the situation. Up to now, she and her family members are fine. The Israeli government has called on people to prepare necessities for at least 72 hours to be ready to go to the shelter. Everyone is ready when they know that there may be a power and water outage. "This is the most difficult time, so everyone's words of comfort have given me strength. These days, I dare not go out because I am worried, hoping that peace will return," she shared.

Mr. Nhat still goes to work, selling food and groceries to people.

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Mr. Thanh Nhat (28 years old, from Nghe An) is currently working at a restaurant 100km from the Gaza Strip. He said that he is still working normally, the food is available at the restaurant so he does not have to buy supplies. These days, the restaurant has increased the import of more food and food to sell to the surrounding people. The number of customers coming to the restaurant to buy supplies is much higher than usual. The customers are mainly the elderly and children because the young people have joined the army. His place also announced that they will only work for a few more days and then close to ensure safety.

Thanhnien.vn