On the afternoon of August 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited residents in Dien Bien Province who have suffered severe damage from recent flash floods and landslides, offering words of comfort and delivering emergency relief.
According to provincial authorities, prolonged heavy rains from July 31 to August 2 triggered widespread flash floods and landslides across several communes. As of 10pm on August 2, ten people were confirmed dead and seven others injured. Some 325 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Floodwaters also swept away numerous roads, bridges and culverts. Landslides caused serious damage to irrigation systems, water supply facilities, public buildings, schools and small hydroelectric plants.
During the visit, the Prime Minister travelled to Hang Pu Xi village in Xa Dung commune, where 17 households with 80 residents lost all their homes.
One of the most tragic stories came from Sung Thi Ly, 28, whose three children died in a landslide. Ly broke down in tears when speaking with the Prime Minister, who himself was visibly emotional in the face of such profound loss.
Chinh praised military and police units for their rescue efforts and urged all forces to speed up recovery work. “No one should go without food, water, warmth or shelter,” he said, calling for swift and coordinated action to stabilise lives and restore infrastructure.
Nearly 1,300 personnel from the military, police and local authorities have been mobilised to access remote areas and conduct search and rescue operations.
The Ministry of National Defence has also deployed helicopters to deliver essential supplies to communities cut off by landslides and floodwaters.
Hanoi authorities announced on August 3 that the capital would provide VND 5 billion (approximately USD 196,000) in aid to Dien Bien Province, and VND 3 billion (approximately USD 118,000) to neighbouring Son La Province to support flood recovery efforts.