People in Nghe An turn their attention to the flood-stricken areas in the North.

Hearths of Compassion from Flood-Affected Areas

In early October, while images of devastating floods ravaging northern provinces like Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Lang Son constantly appeared on news broadcasts, the people of Nghe An, which had just experienced a severe flood, busied themselves in their kitchens, preparing pots of sticky rice cakes (banh chung) as a gesture of solidarity to send to the distant flood-affected areas.

Immediately after the Anh Son Online Volunteer Group launched the "Sending Sticky Rice Cakes to Flood-Affected Areas" program, hundreds of people from the communes of (formerly Anh Son district), children working far from home, and philanthropists nationwide responded enthusiastically. Some contributed sticky rice, others meat, and still others gathered banana leaves, string, and firewood. Men took care of the firewood, women skillfully wrapped the cakes, and the elderly and children helped out.

"Watching the news about people in the North being deeply submerged in water, I couldn't hold back my tears. I've just experienced the floods myself, and I understand their suffering. Now, being able to help in any way makes me feel relieved," shared Thanh Phuong, a member of a volunteer group.

Last night, more than 50 villagers stayed up all night by the fire. The warm firelight illuminated their radiant faces and nimble hands as they wrapped each square rice cake, fragrant with the aroma of fresh glutinous rice. By morning, hundreds of pairs of green rice cakes, along with tons of other goods, were loaded onto trucks, ready for a trip to Thai Nguyen, where many communes are still struggling to recover from the aftermath of the floods.

Mr. Bui Cong Chinh, Deputy Head of the Anh Son Online Volunteer Team, said: “We have collected nearly 7 tons of goods, including sticky rice cakes, instant noodles, bread, drinking water… The people in the flood-affected areas are in great need of clean water and essential supplies, so even though they have just experienced floods, everyone is willing to contribute their time and resources.”

In the chilly autumn night, those blazing fires not only cooked batches of cakes but also warmed hearts with human kindness. This image moved many, because even in hardship, the people of Nghe An still chose to give love.

Spreading the spirit of solidarity in times of hardship.

In recent days, in many other parts of Nghe An, acts of charity have continued quietly, connecting Central and Northern Vietnam with threads of compassion.

In Thanh Vinh ward, Mrs. Bich Diep's small porridge stall has been quietly working through the night for the past few days, preparing over 100 boxes of dried fish and peanuts to send to the field kitchen of the "0-Dong Ambulance Team" in Nghe An, which is cooking thousands of relief meals in Bac Ninh. "I'm old now, I can't go, I can only contribute this simple dish. Consider it a small token of my affection from those who remain, hoping to ease the suffering of the people there," Mrs. Diep said, her eyes welling up with tears.

Meanwhile, in Cua Lo ward, Ms. Phuong Thao, the owner of a small hotel, is also quietly contributing in her own way. As soon as she heard that charitable groups from other provinces were heading north, she posted an announcement offering 10 rooms free of charge, enough space for 40-50 people to stay overnight. “Helping people isn't just about money, but also about providing the conditions for others to continue doing good deeds. A good night's sleep can sometimes be a great boost for their journey of love,” Thao said.

Meanwhile, in the deeply flooded area of ​​Bo Ha (Bac Ninh), the uniforms of the "Nghe An zero-cost ambulance team" have reappeared. For the past three days, they have been working tirelessly alongside the local authorities to help flood victims: setting up makeshift kitchens, cooking thousands of meals, transporting relief supplies, and evacuating the elderly and children.

Contacted by phone, Ms. Ho Thi Tam, a member of the team currently in Bac Ninh, said: “The water is deep and flowing rapidly, cutting off roads. The team had to use boats to transport food and relief supplies to each village. When a pregnant woman went into labor, we were able to get her to the hospital safely. Everyone was tired, but no one complained because they felt what they were doing was meaningful.”

Amidst the vast expanse of water, the sight of people from Nghe An wading through the water and braving the rain to deliver meals and bottles of water to the needy brought tears to many eyes. This is a continuation of the spirit of "those with less help those with even less," a tradition deeply ingrained in the blood and soul of the people of Nghe An.

Despite the aftermath of the floods in late September, the people of Nghe An are still willing to share what little they have with others. They understand better than anyone the feeling of loss and the struggle amidst the raging waters, and therefore want to share even more. The stories in Anh Son, Thanh Vinh, Cua Lo, or the free ambulance services… are just small pieces in the larger picture of compassion in Nghe An. There, one clearly sees a spirit of sharing that doesn't wait until abundance, but knows how to give even in times of hardship. Perhaps the material gifts aren't much, but they contain deep affection, helping those struggling in the floods feel supported and loved.