Vietnam’s economic hubs tasked with direct flood relief in south-central provinces

The decision, signed by Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, directs Hanoi to assist Gia Lai Province, Ho Chi Minh City to support Khanh Hoa Province, Hai Phong to back Dak Lak Province, and Quang Ninh Province to help Lam Dong.

The four localities are considered Vietnam’s economic locomotives.

The directive follows heavy rains and floods between November 16 and 20 that affected south-central provinces, including Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong.

Authorities report at least 91 people dead, 11 missing, 21 injured, and more than 52,000 homes flooded.

Agricultural losses include over 82,000 hectares of crops, 117,000 hectares of perennial plants, and more than 3.3 million livestock and poultry killed or swept away.

Several communities remain isolated, with disruptions to electricity, water, communications, and transport, including roads and the North-South railway.

Initial economic losses are estimated at about VND13.078 trillion (US$495.9 million), with Dak Lak reporting VND5.33 trillion ($202.1 million) and Khanh Hoa VND5 trillion ($189.6 million).

Local authorities are continuing to update damage assessments.

Assigned cities are providing food, clothing, medicine, and personnel directly to the provinces under their care.

Central ministries, including national defense, public security, health, and construction, are responsible for logistics, rescue operations, medical support, and infrastructure repair.

Helicopters and drones are being deployed to reach isolated areas.

On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc signed a prime ministerial decision providing emergency aid of VND1.1 trillion ($41.7 million) to help affected provinces recover.

Allocations include VND500 billion ($19 million) for Dak Lak, VND300 billion ($11.4 million) for Lam Dong, and VND150 billion ($5.7 million) each for Khanh Hoa and Gia Lai.

The Ministry of Finance has also released 4,000 tonnes of rice from national reserves for Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak.