Volunteers travel over 1,000km to repair flood-damaged motorbikes in northern Vietnam

Over the past few days, mechanics from Ho Chi Minh City, the Central Highlands, Hue, Hanoi, Lao Cai, and other areas have gathered in Vo Nhai Commune, Thai Nguyen to help repair motorbikes.

Vuong Cong Nguyen, a member of the Saigon Motorcycle Engineering Association, shared that all travel, accommodation, and food costs were funded by the volunteers themselves.

Each mechanic brought a toolkit, along with spare parts such as engine oil, air filters, spark plugs, and batteries — totaling hundreds of kilograms — transported by plane.

With passenger buses to Thai Nguyen suspended due to floods, many volunteers rode motorbikes hundreds of kilometers, carrying heavy gear to reach the affected area.

According to Nguyen, many mechanics were heartbroken to see the main livelihood tool of locals — their motorbikes — submerged in mud.

On their first day in Vo Nhai, locals were already waiting. Many of the motorbikes were caked in mud, as if just pulled from a rice field.

“Some bikes were basically just frames. Plastic shells were broken, wheels bent, and mud had seeped into the engines and carburetors," Nguyen said.

“It was heartbreaking. Each of us took on different tasks to help bring the bikes back to life."

Team members collected donations for tools and spare parts. Some gathered funds to buy oil; others secured sponsorships for spark plugs, air filters, and even expensive electrical parts like ignition control modules and semiconductors.

The most challenging were high-end scooters with electronic components worth millions of Vietnamese dong. (VND1 million = US$38)

The team did their best to salvage usable parts and ensure that locals could ride their repaired bikes home.

Within just three days, thousands of motorbikes in Vo Nhai were repaired.

Each time an engine started, laughter broke out among the sweaty, oil-stained faces of the volunteers.

Lao Viet Xuan, a local repair shop owner in Vo Nhai who initiated the call for help, said that he typically earns VND500,000 ($19) to VND1 million ($38) per day from repairs.

Despite the surge in broken bikes during the flood, he closed his shop to offer free repair services.

“I’m giving up a bit of income to share the hardship with my community,” Xuan said.

“Many families here live tough lives, and their motorbike is their most valuable asset. It’s heartbreaking to see them damaged by floodwaters.”

Around 300 volunteers, including lecturers and students from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Electric Power University, Hanoi High-Tech Vocational College, Vietnam National University, and Phenikaa University, also joined the effort.

Nguyen Thi Van Anh, secretary of the Youth Union at Hanoi High-Tech Vocational College, said the volunteers were carefully selected based on their health, skills, and enthusiasm.

They had the chance to apply their skills by repairing mud-covered motorbikes, fans, TVs, and refrigerators.

Nguyen Dong Phuc, deputy head of the volunteer youth club at Electric Power University, shared: “This is the first time I’ve seen the devastating aftermath of a storm in a city with solid infrastructure like Thai Nguyen. I hope more skilled volunteers will join to support the locals.”

The Hanoi Youth Union also reported that more student volunteer teams are being deployed to flood-hit areas. Skilled hands and minds are now vital in helping people recover their belongings and return to normal life.

Floodwaters in Thai Nguyen Province exceeded historical levels last week.

Heavy rains brought by the remnants of storm Matmo inundated large parts of Thai Nguyen’s center and surrounding wards and communes, with Vo Nhai Commune being one of the hardest-hit areas.

Heavy rains continue in northern Vietnam

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Red River Delta and the provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh will experience moderate rainfall ranging from 40 to 80mm, with some areas receiving over 150mm.

In the northeastern midlands and mountains, rainfall is expected between 30 and 60mm, with localized heavy rains reaching over 100mm.

Hanoi will continue to see rain through Wednesday, with totals ranging from 30 to 70mm and some places exceeding 90mm. Thunderstorms may bring tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong winds.

Localized heavy rainfall may lead to flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and urban flooding in low-lying areas.

Flooding is still ongoing in parts of Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Hanoi, particularly in riverside areas and low-lying urban zones, and may persist in the coming days.