On a quiet morning in June, the atmosphere in Trung Khanh Village, Lam Trung Thuy Commune, Duc Tho District, Ha Tinh Province, was subdued, with few people visible on the streets.
Inside the village homes, anxiety hangs heavy. Locals say they are increasingly worried as the number of cancer diagnoses continues to rise.
Some households with cancer patients have locked their gates and posted signs reading, "A family member is avoiding cold exposure. Thank you for your understanding."
Phan Thi Le, aged 65, sat quietly in her house while her husband reminded her to take her medication on time as part of her lung cancer treatment.
Phan Thi Le is among many cancer patients in Trung Khanh Village
She recalled experiencing fatigue, pain and a sore throat about three years ago. Despite visiting several hospitals, doctors failed to identify the illness.
"In June 2024, I lost five to six kilogrammes and went for further checks. That's when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. What's alarming is that I'm not the first in this village to be diagnosed. Many people here, both old and young, have had cancer," Le said.
Ho Van Tinh, 66, said his wife died of cervical cancer more than two years ago at the age of 59.
Ho Van Tinh said that his wife died of cervical cancer
"Near my house, a 16-year-old boy died of bone cancer, a middle-aged man recently died of lung cancer, and another woman died of liver cancer. Right now, most patients here are being treated for lung cancer. In the past five years alone, the village has recorded around seven deaths from cancer, and nearly ten others are undergoing treatment," Tinh said.
Tinh and other villagers noted that Trung Khanh is an agricultural community with no factories or industrial activities. They are unsure why so many cancer cases have emerged in such a short time.
Some residents have speculated that lingering effects from wartime bombings might be a cause. Others suggest that prolonged use of pesticides in the fields could be to blame.
"These are just assumptions. We hope that scientists and relevant agencies will visit our village to conduct thorough research and identify the cause. The elderly falling ill is one thing, but we are worried about the future of our children," Tinh added.
A representative of the Lam Trung Thuy communal People's Committee confirmed that cancer cases are unusually high in the area, especially in Trung Khanh village.
"We're calling on higher authorities and professional agencies to conduct environmental impact assessments and research to determine the cause. Only then can we help locals prevent future cases and stabilise their lives," the official said.
On June 28, Nguyen Minh Duc, Director of the Ha Tinh Provincial Department of Health, told Dantri that the department had not yet received any official reports or proposals regarding the cancer cluster in Lam Trung Thuy commune.
"We're aware of the situation through preliminary information. Identifying the cause is not solely the responsibility of the health sector. It requires cooperation from multiple agencies. In the coming period, we will work with other departments to investigate and clarify the issue," Duc said.