Regarding the case of 4 bodies found floating in the reservoir of the hydroelectric dam: Thong Thu commune will work with the local authorities of Laos.
The Thong Thu commune (Nghe An province) has recently submitted a request to hold a meeting with the authorities of Xam Tay district, Hua Phan province, to discuss and agree on a long-term solution for the four bodies found floating in the reservoir of a hydroelectric dam, suspected to be from cemeteries affected by landslides on the other side of the border.
On August 31st, a leader of Thong Thu commune stated that regarding the four bodies discovered in the Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir, after the authorities completed the autopsy and collected samples for later identification, the local government temporarily organized the burial. Due to the severe decomposition of most of the bodies, only one has been identified as female.
"The local authorities also believe that there may be many other bodies floating on the lake, so they have directed forces to continue checking and searching the area," the leader of Thong Thu commune said, adding that because they believe these bodies have foreign origins, the local authorities have also sent a document to the Department of Foreign Affairs to request guidance.
According to the leaders of Thong Thu commune, due to the impact of typhoon No. 5, the amount of water flowing from the upstream rivers and streams into the area increased dramatically; in particular, the Nam Sam Hydropower Plant (Laos) released floodwaters, which increased the flow downstream of the Chu River (Hua Na Hydropower Reservoir basin).
From August 26-29, 2025, four bodies were discovered floating in the reservoir of the Hua Na Hydropower Plant in Thong Thu commune. One of the bodies was found in a wooden coffin with Lao writing on it. The People's Committee of Thong Thu commune has now arranged for the burial of all four bodies according to regulations.
"According to information gathered, in the Laos-Vietnam border area, near Thong Thu commune, flash floods have occurred in the cemetery area of two villages, Tau and Na Say, in Sam Tay district, Hua Phan province, Laos. It is believed that many bodies may have drifted to the reservoir of the Hua Na hydroelectric dam," said the leader of Thong Thu commune.
Given the above situation, the People's Committee of Thong Thu Commune requests a meeting with the government of Xam Tay District, Hua Phan Province, to discuss and agree on a long-term solution to the aforementioned issue. Therefore, Thong Thu Commune requests the Department of Foreign Affairs to consider, provide feedback, and guide the process and procedures so that the People's Committee of Thong Thu Commune can act in accordance with regulations.
The Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir is located in Thong Thu commune, bordering Laos, with a surface area of 21 square kilometers.2, capacity 569 million m³3(when the water level reaches 240m). This is one of the large hydroelectric projects in North Central Vietnam.
Thong Thu commune was formed from two communes, Dong Van and Thong Thu, in the former Que Phong district. It covers an area of over 700 km².2This is the largest commune in terms of area among the 130 communes and wards in Nghe An province. However, Thong Thu commune currently has only over 8,000 inhabitants, mainly of the Thai ethnic group.
