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Residents of Hoa Thinh commune hang national flags to celebrate the National Day. |
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Houses built under “Quang Trung Campaign” all have flood-resistant spaces where residents can evacuate in case of an emergency. |
At the end of 2025, Hoa Thinh was among the areas hardest hit by heavy rains and flooding. With support from the Party, State, military, and local authorities, the commune has gradually recovered. Hundreds of solid, spacious houses have been built under “Quang Trung Campaign,” giving local residents safer places to live.
Standing in his new house, overlooking the ripe rice fields, Tran Xuan Hoi, a 48-year-old man in Phu Huu village, recalled the night of November 19 last year, when floodwaters rose suddenly and residents had little time to react.
“In that life-threatening situation, we were fortunate to receive assistance from the authorities, who evacuated us to families with solid, multi-story houses. When the water receded, we returned to find our houses and belongings swept away or destroyed. Sharing the people’s suffering and losses, the Party and State launched ‘Quang Trung Campaign’ to rapidly build and repair houses so that residents in flood-hit areas could welcome spring and celebrate the Lunar New Year,” Hoi said.
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Residents of Hoa Thinh always remember the care, assistance, and support provided by officers and soldiers from military units to the locality after the historic flood at the end of 2025. |
The new houses in Hoa Thinh were built 1 to 3 meters above the peak flood level recorded in 2025. Nearly every household now has one or two aluminum boats and life jackets. During the summer, parents also teach their children to swim and improve their life skills. Before the storm season, families stockpile food, clothing, blankets, flashlights, and fuel on elevated flood-resistant floors so they can seek shelter there while waiting for rescue forces if flooding occurs.
Tran Van Khanh, a 77-year-old man in Phu Huu village, whose family and children’s families were supported by the Party and State to build six new flood-resistant houses in ‘Quang Trung Campaign,’ recalled that when troops from Division 315 arrived, the commune was still devastated by the floods. With temporary shelters and tents reserved for local residents, the soldiers slept outdoors in hammocks while working to rebuild and repair houses.
“After nearly two months of working in the sun and rain, they completed the houses and immediately returned to their unit. They truly are Uncle Ho’s Soldiers. Whatever the circumstances, they always put the people before themselves. The more we think about it, the more we appreciate them,” Khanh said.
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Before the storm season, families prepare aluminum boats, life jackets, food, and other essential supplies. |
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Tran Xuan Hoi points toward a row of coconut trees that were nearly submerged to their tops during the historic flood at the end of 2025. |
At her family altar, Le Thi Kim Don, a 48-year old woman in Phu Huu village, lit incense and prepared a home-cooked meal to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the National Day on September 2. “Our family respectfully offers this meal to our ancestors, forebears, and heroic martyrs. We pray that they will bless our homeland and our children and grandchildren with good health, peace, happiness, prosperity, and well-being,” she said.
Kim Don also treasured a wall calendar presented by the Military Region 5 Party Committee and Command when her new house was inaugurated and handed over. Along with the calendar, soldiers gave her family a bed, wardrobe, television, rice cooker, and other essential household items.
She said the calendar was especially meaningful because it featured images of officers and soldiers of the Military Region 5 armed forces braving floodwaters to rescue and care for local residents, as well as those who directly participated in “Quang Trung Campaign” to help Hoa Thinh residents gradually rebuild their lives after the devastating floods.
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The joy of a girl in front of the new house built and presented by soldiers during “Quang Trung Campaign” |
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A resident in the commune offers incense in remembrance of her ancestors and heroic martyrs on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the National Day. |
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Hoa Thinh commune is adorned with vibrant flags and flowers to celebrate the National Day. |
Today, people and vehicles move along the busy inter-village and inter-commune roads of the commune amid the scent of ripe rice. Residents continue to remember the care and support provided by the Party and State and the bond between soldiers and civilians during times of hardship.
Amid the vibrant flags and flowers celebrating the National Day, Hoa Thinh is filled with joy and happiness.
Translated by Tran Hoai