15-year-high floods isolate thousands of homes in Vietnam’s Ha Tinh

On Wednesday, the main roads to many villages in Duc Quang remained submerged, according to local authorities.

A local official took Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters through the flooded areas by motorboat, noting that fields were under water and homes had been damaged.

Residents have been forced to travel in small boats, making daily life both difficult and dangerous.

Locals recounted that on the morning of September 29, shortly after Bualoi passed, floodwaters rushed downstream with little warning.

Many households only had time to move to higher floors, leaving most belongings soaked or destroyed.

“The flood rose quickly but has receded very slowly, leaving houses and schools underwater for three days," a resident said.

"Going out is difficult without boats, and when food runs out, we have to call for government assistance."

Phan Van Thao, 30, from Duc Quang, said the typhoon on the night of September 28 tore off his family’s roof and damaged the kitchen where rice was stored, spoiling nearly 600 kilograms of grain.

The next morning, floodwaters rushed into his home, forcing his nearly 80-year-old father and his wife to take refuge in the attic.

Thao, a member of the local militia, has been assisting in rescue and relief operations, returning home only briefly to check on his family.

“For the past three days, water levels have remained high, power has been cut, and food is scarce. My family and many others have been surviving on instant noodles,” he said.

Families in single-story houses face especially harsh conditions, often confined to cramped attics with limited space.

Many lack sufficient food and drinking water, relying entirely on relief supplies.

“It’s the first time in 15 years we’ve seen floodwaters rise so suddenly,” Thao added.

Schools have also been severely affected.

At Quang Vinh Elementary School, classrooms were still nearly one meter deep in water on October 1, damaging desks, chairs, and students’ books.

Principal Cao Thi Cam Long said floodwaters had peaked at 1.5 meters and have been slow to recede, prolonging the damage.

Over the past three days, local authorities, police, and militia forces have been using motorboats and canoes to deliver supplies — mainly instant noodles, snacks, and bottled water — nonstop to flood-trapped residents.