With the rainy season approaching, residents of Nga My Commune in Nghe An Province are once again bracing for the possibility of being cut off from the outside world. The only road linking the commune centre with remote villages has fallen into severe disrepair after years of use and repeated damage from natural disasters.
Large sections of the route have been eroded by landslides, creating serious safety risks for both residents and vehicles.
After heavy rain, many sections of the road to Na Ngan Hamlet suffer severe landslides, leaving motorbikes unable to pass (Photo: Nguyen Phe).
According to a report by the Nga My Commune People's Committee, the road stretches more than 16 kilometres and consists mainly of narrow dirt tracks. Numerous sections have suffered significant slope failures and land subsidence.
In addition to landslides, the route is intersected by several streams. Some crossings still lack permanent bridges, meaning travel can become almost impossible during periods of heavy rain.
Some crossings still lack permanent bridges (Photo: Nguyen Phe).
During major floods in 2025, nearly 1,000 residents in Na Ngan, Xop Kho, and Na Kho hamlets were isolated for extended periods. Emergency teams had to carry food, medicine and essential supplies on foot while creating temporary access routes to reach affected communities.
Luong Van Ca, a resident of Na Ngan Hamlet, said local people hoped authorities would invest in upgrading the road and constructing permanent bridges to improve access.
A temporary bridge at Khe Hung, one of the most difficult transport points on the road to Na Ngan Hamlet (Photo: Nguyen Phe).
Luong Van Un, head of Na Ngan Hamlet, said residents had lived with anxiety for many years whenever the rainy season arrived.
"Every year, landslides or floodwaters disrupt the road into the village. Our greatest concern is when someone falls ill or is injured because transporting them for emergency treatment becomes extremely difficult.
"The education of our children is also affected. Many teachers cannot reach schools on time, and students face interruptions to their studies. Essential goods and daily necessities are also difficult to transport into the village, creating many challenges for local people," Un said.
Transporting food supplies into Na Ngan Hamlet remains extremely difficult (Photo: Nguyen Phe).
Lo Thanh Nhat, secretary of the Nga My Commune Party Committee, said improving the road had long been one of the community's most pressing needs.
"Completing this road would not only improve travel and support local economic development but would also facilitate efforts to protect the Pu Huong Special-use Forest," Nhat said.
