Expats join Ho Chi Minh City locals in flood relief efforts for central Vietnam

At key sites such as the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union, and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Culture House, volunteers worked continuously to receive, sort, and transport boxes of essential goods.

Volunteers ranged from schoolchildren and students to pregnant women and the elderly, alongside a growing number of foreign residents living in the city.

Many foreigners not only made donations but also rolled up their sleeves to help carry, sort, and organize supplies with local residents, creating a warm and moving atmosphere at the collection points.

At the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Finnish citizen Joa Kim was seen working alongside his wife and daughter, helping carry, sort, and arrange donated items.

He said he was happy to contribute and was willing to spend his weekends supporting volunteer work.

“I love Vietnam. The spirit of solidarity here gives me a lot of energy,” he said.

Another foreign resident, Keziah from India, brought several cartons of bottled water and milk to the same location.

Having lived in Vietnam for many years, she said she was deeply moved after hearing from her father about the devastating floods that have ravaged the central region since last week.

“I just want to help people,” she said.

Many other foreigners who passed by also stopped to ask about the situation, with some joining the volunteers on the spot. 

From early morning until late evening, the donation site remained busy and filled with warmth.

At the Youth Culture House, heartfelt stories from local families added to the emotional atmosphere.

Ten-year-old Phan Ngoc Diep came with her mother and aunt to donate canned fish, milk, and rice for children in flood-hit areas.

After returning from school the previous day, she surprised her mother by asking for VND500,000 (US$19), saying she wanted to buy gifts for students in central Vietnam after hearing her teachers talk about their hardships.

Nearby, Tang Nguyet Minh, 42, arrived with her 16-year-old son Nguyen Anh Hung, bringing boxes of essentials like sanitary products, diapers, and daily necessities.

She said she wanted her son to understand the hardships others face.

“I want my child to learn to love others and appreciate what he has,” she added.

Another emotional moment came from local resident Phan Ly Nghi, who donated a box of woolen clothes she had long kept as souvenirs from Da Lat.

“Maybe they will bring warmth, even life, to someone else,” she said, recalling a soldier telling her on November 22 that his grandparents had died from hunger and cold during the floods.

Meanwhile, relief supplies continued arriving at metro line No. 1 stations on Sunday before being transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

By the evening, more than 200 metric tons of goods, including food, clothing, blankets, life jackets and medicines, had been received, and the volume of aid is expected to keep rising in the coming days.