Compassionate relief convoys from Dong Nai

In recent days, numerous humanitarian relief convoys have departed from Dong Nai, carrying love and solidarity to people in disaster-hit areas of the Central region. Amid the floods, as residents faced countless hardships, convoys loaded with rice, instant noodles, and raincoats from Dong Nai quietly made their way across long distances, navigating flooded roads and muddy terrain to support those affected by storms and flooding in the Central region. This spirit of humanity brought warmth and encouragement to people during the stormy days, helping them persevere through adversity.

The Van Su Tuy Duyen charity group presents necessities to people in Hamlet 10, Vu Gia Commune, Da Nang City.

Timely assistance for Central region compatriots

In late October and early November 2025, the Central region once again reeled under severe flooding. As a result of Typhoon No. 12, floodwaters on rivers across the region, including the Huong and Vu Gia rivers, rose above alarm level 3. Many areas from Hue City to Quang Ngai Province were submerged, with flood depths ranging from 1 to 3 meters.

In this situation, the Van Su Tuy Duyen charity group, together with An Bao Tin Law Firm Co., Ltd, and the Thien Tam Youth Association (in Dong Nai Province), urgently set off for Da Nang City to promptly share difficulties with the people in the Central region, who were struggling against a historic flood.

Necessities are neatly arranged at the Cultural House of Quarter 3, Trang Dai Ward, in preparation for the relief trip to the storm and flood-affected areas.

Nguyen Ngoc Giang San, a representative of the Van Su Tuy Duyen charity group, shared: Participating in disaster relief for compatriots is one of the group's annual activities. Previously, when Typhoon No. 10 (Typhoon Bualoi) caused severe damage in the northern provinces, the group launched a program to support people in two provinces, Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh, who were affected by the storms and floods. And, upon hearing that Typhoon No. 12 had caused severe damage to the central provinces, the group decided to temporarily suspend its plan to rescue compatriots affected by storms and floods in the North and redirect its efforts to the Central region, to provide timely assistance to the people in the heart of the flood zone.

“In addition to emergency relief, the provincial Red Cross is planning to support livelihood recovery for people in storm and flood-affected areas in the post-storm phase. The association will coordinate with large enterprises in the province to implement a program to donate paint and house repair materials to help people quickly stabilize their lives and rebuild their homes after the disaster.”

NGUYEN TAN HUNG, Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Dong Nai Province

The compassionate convoy of the Van Su Tuy Duyen charity group consisted of numerous large trucks carrying life jackets, instant noodles, medicine, hot oil, drinking water, and hundreds of gifts from benefactors. Traveling through rain and wind, the convoy reached Hamlets 8, 9, and 10 of Vu Gia Commune (Da Nang City), which were cut off by floodwaters. In some places, the group had to rely on the forces of Military Region 5 to drop relief supplies by helicopter. In other areas, the group had to cross rivers in small boats and then wade through cold water to deliver gifts to the people.

"Seeing people holding bags of rice, boxes of noodles, and donated gifts, thanking us while crying, we couldn't hold back our own tears. Each trip serves as a powerful reminder of compassion and responsibility," recounted Nguyen Ngoc Giang San with emotion.

Phan Van Nam, a resident of Hai Lang Commune, Quang Tri Province, shared: “My house was fortunately not flooded because it was built on a foundation higher than the rice fields. But in many low-lying areas, the water rose to the gates of people’s homes, and they had to use boats to get around. Seeing people rowing boats into their own houses, and in many places the newly sown rice already destroyed, it was heartbreaking.”

Nam said: In recent days, heavy rains have continued, and the floodwaters have not receded. Roads are muddy, children cannot go to school, and adults have had to take turns watching over their homes and livestock, fearing they might be swept away.

This time, the charity group represented by Phan Van Cuong (residing in Trang Dai Ward, Dong Nai Province) called for donations, gathering and sorting goods, along with the joint efforts of many residents of Trang Dai Ward and neighboring areas, heading towards the beloved Central region that is struggling with the floods.

The group accepts only essential supplies such as milk, cakes, rice, instant noodles, warm clothing, blankets, pillows, pens, and notebooks. Cash donations are not accepted to ensure transparency and deliver the right items to those affected.

As of now, the group has assembled three truckloads of goods and sent them to Hue City, dozens of tons of relief supplies, carrying with them the spirit of "the healthy leaf covers the torn leaf," sharing in the hardships of the Central region, where people are suffering heavy losses after the historic floods.

One country, millions of hearts

Alongside the humanitarian convoys heading out to support people in the Central region affected by storms and floods, social media has also become a bridge connecting millions of charitable hearts. Many individuals, artists, and citizens have come together to share images and addresses of those in need. From community pages such as Dong Nai Nghia Tinh and Nguoi Bien Hoa, hundreds of posts have called for donations, shared transport routes, and guided supply distribution, helping ensure that goods are delivered swiftly and to the right destinations.

Residents of Trang Dai Ward, Dong Nai Province, pack goods to prepare for loading them onto trucks in time to rescue people in the Central region affected by natural disasters.

Especially, along the roads from Dong Nai to the Central region, the image of zero-dong eateries and free rest stops for relief convoys moved everyone who passed by.

Nguyen Tan Hung, Chairman of the Dong Nai Red Cross Society, stated that the Society has developed a plan to organize a working delegation to visit and support residents in the central provinces that have been heavily affected by storms and floods. The delegation is expected to deliver 500 relief packages, each valued at 1 million VND, comprising 800,000 VND in cash and essential supplies, including rice, milk, cakes, instant noodles, and drinking water. The trip will last four days, from November 12 to 15, with planned stops in Quang Ngai Province, Da Nang City, and Hue City.

By Le Duy – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho