Volunteer drone squad delivers life-saving aid in flood zones in northern Vietnam

A volunteer drone group has joined hands with boat teams to transport several metric tons of food, drinking water, medicine, flashlights, and power banks to stranded families across northern provinces.

On their latest mission, the group headed to My Thai Commune in Bac Ninh Province, where dozens of households were cut off by floods triggered by Bualoi and Matmo, the 10th and 11th storms to hit the East Vietnam Sea this year.

Under the blazing sun, Le Manh Linh gathered members to map routes using small flycams.

Nguyen Tien Dat, 19, from Hanoi, monitored flight data, while Nguyen Huu Thien Tri, a seasoned drone operator from Da Nang City, central Vietnam, calculated the payload and flight range.

“Each drone can safely operate within a two-kilometer radius,” Tri said.

The squad, made up of drone operators Nguyen Huy, Quang Vinh, and Hong Khanh, among others, formed spontaneously on October 9, initially uniting 12 members from across Vietnam.

Within hours, they mobilized more than 10 drones, generators, and vehicles loaded with relief goods.

Traveling from as far as the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands regions, the drone operators met up with boat crews led by Tran Quyet Thang from Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam, forming what they called a ‘sky and water rescue team.’

By October 12, they had reached My Thai after supporting flooded areas in the Song Thuong Bridge, Hop Thinh, Hoang Van, and the Dam Bridge in Bac Ninh and An Lang in suburban Hanoi.

Each drone, weighing up to 40kg with a 12kg battery, could carry 40-50kg of goods per flight.

The drones delivered 50 bags of goods, without a single mishap.

Tri recalled a night-time rescue when villagers, cut off from power, used flashlight signals to guide drones to safe drop points.

“Seeing the flickering lights on the screen, knowing people were waiting, it was very emotional,” he said.

The team also rescued two residents whose small boat had capsized in deep water near the Song Thuong Bridge.

“We saw faint movement in the rain and immediately sent out a speedboat,” Linh said.

“Luckily, we got to them in time.”

The volunteers came from An Giang, Tay Ninh, Dak Lak, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, and Hanoi.

Most use drones for agricultural purposes such as crop spraying but adapted them for flood rescue.

According to aerospace engineer Nguyen Xuan Huy from Ho Chi Minh City, “A single drone flight costs about VND50,000 [US$2], carrying 50kg of goods, which is far cheaper and safer than boats in fast currents.”

Huy owns three drones and joined immediately after seeing a call for help on social media.

“These machines can change how we respond to disasters,” Huy said.

“They can deliver food, medicine, or even rescue people. 

"And if a drone crashes, it’s just money lost, not lives.”

This drone rescue team now has around 20 members, some as young as 19, including Phan Van Truong Phat, 20, from An Giang, who often climbs onto vehicle roofs for a better signal.

“We won’t stop until the floods are over,” one volunteer said.