Mud covers a road in Van Ban District on the morning of April 17
According to chairman of Van Ban District People's Committee, Phi Cong Hoan, by 7 am on April 17, two bodies were found while one person remained missing.
The flash flood also damaged dozens of houses in Minh Luong Commune. A section of the National Road 279 was buried in a thick layer of mud, blocking traffic.
Military and police forces have been mobilised for rescue work in the area.
The flash flood was triggered by a cold spell that has brought heavy rains to many provinces in the northern region since Friday night. Lao Cai Province saw the highest rainfall of 96.2mm.