Vu Ngoc Son, Kai Johnson and Albert Maulabux arrive to help with clean-up activities following the recent floods in Thai Nguyen Province on October 12.
Kai Johnson, an American traveller who decided to stay in Vietnam after visiting. Albert Maulabux, from the Netherlands, returned to Vietnam for a second trip out of affection for the country, but had no idea his visit would coincide with severe flooding across northern provinces.
The two became close friends with Son after joining one of his guided tours through northern Vietnam. Unlike conventional guides, Son designs experiences that immerse visitors in local life and culture rather than just sightseeing.
Following the recent storms that caused heavy damage in Thai Nguyen, Son contacted Kai and Albert to help clean up the affected areas. “I jokingly asked if they wanted to join a post-flood cleanup tour. They immediately said yes,” Son recalled.
Early on October 12, the group arrived in Thai Nguyen, where they joined four local volunteers to help clear debris at a children’s play area left in ruins by floodwaters.
“The scene was heartbreaking,” Kai said. “Mud covered the walls and ceiling, rubbish piled everywhere, and the smell was awful. You could see how much damage had been done.”
The volunteers spent the entire day removing debris and salvaging items that could be cleaned and reused. Despite their efforts, Son noted that the damage was too extensive for one day’s work, estimating it would take professional teams at least a week to restore the area.
Albert expressed sadness at seeing the once-bustling city in such a state. “What we did was mostly symbolic,” he said. “But we wanted to show solidarity and encourage people to stay strong.”
Due to the floods, Son’s regular tours have been postponed. Over his years as a guide, he has noticed that international visitors increasingly prefer authentic local experiences over crowded tourist spots.
“Calling it a cleanup tour was just a joke,” Son said. “But I wanted my foreign friends to truly understand how hard Vietnamese people are working to rebuild their lives after the floods.”
Son is known for his unconventional tours, such as taking visitors to local markets to buy live chickens, accompanying families during postnatal visits, or exploring cemeteries to learn about Vietnamese burial traditions and reburial customs.
