Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the inauguration of the resettlement area in Nu village of northern Lao Cai province on December 22
The inauguration was concurrently held at the resettlement areas of Nam Tong and Kho Vang villages in Lao Cai province that also bore the brunt of the natural disaster at the same time.
In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath caused unprecedented devastation in Vietnam’s northern localities, with Lao Cai suffering the most significant losses in terms of both lives and property. Torrential rains triggered flashfloods, landslides, and mudflows, claiming 139 lives, leaving 12 still missing, and impacting over 10,000 houses, including 700 that were completely destroyed.
In Nu, Nam Tong, and Kho Vang villages alone, 84 people were reported dead or missing, with eight yet to be found. Some families lost all their members to the disaster.
Shortly after the catastrophe, the Prime Minister visited the site, emphasizing the importance of reconstruction and recovery efforts to ensure safety and stability for the residents.
Just 10 days after the disaster, reconstruction projects in Lao Cai, including the three resettlement areas of Nu, Nam Tong, and Kho Vang villages, began, and they were completed in less than three months, 15 days ahead of schedule. In addition to housing, essential infrastructure such as schools, community centers, and technical systems were comprehensively developed.
The Nu resettlement area alone features 40 two-story stilt houses built in the traditional Tay ethnic people style, alongside supportive structures to ensure long-term stability for residents.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with people in the new resettlement area of Nu village
In his speech at the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of reconstruction and recovery efforts to ensure safety and stability for the residents. He expressed deep sympathy for the losses suffered by affected families and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting the locality in rebuilding infrastructure and restoring the community.
He urged Lao Cai’s authorities and people to continue disaster recovery efforts, particularly focusing on securing stable livelihoods, creating jobs, and boosting economic production.
The PM also suggested exploring solutions for the old Nu village site, such as constructing reservoirs to enhance the landscape and enable aquaculture, or restoring previous streams and agricultural areas. While building reservoirs might require more investment, it would offer long-term sustainability and better livelihoods for residents. He set a completion target for these projects by December 31, 2025.
Finally, he tasked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with swiftly presenting a proposal to the Government for comprehensive disaster prevention and response measures for northern and central Vietnam, aiming to ensure safety, security, and stability for affected communities.