From Ninh Binh to Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa, trucks loaded with rice balls, drinking water, and essential supplies drove through the night to support flood-stricken residents in Thai Nguyen province.

After seeing heartbreaking images and videos of residents suffering in the flooded areas of Thai Nguyen, Dang Thanh Trang, born in 1991 in Ninh Binh, felt compelled to act.

She recalled how, during the floods caused by Typhoon Yagi in 2024, she and a group of women had cooked meals and sent them to residents in nearby flooded communes.

This time, she rallied her group again to cook and provide aid for those affected by the current disaster in Thai Nguyen.

“When we saw the footage, we just had to act. Even a simple rice ball or a bottle of water can make things a little easier for people going through this,” Trang said.

Initially, Trang and her group pooled their own money to buy ingredients. But after posting about their initiative on Facebook, they were overwhelmed by public support. People donated funds, food, supplies, and labor to help the flood victims.

“Someone brought over a few sacks of rice, others gave hundreds of eggs, crates of bottled water. One family lent their truck, another lent their wedding kitchen equipment - pots, pans, everything. Those who couldn’t help physically sent $4 to $8 each. Everyone was incredibly generous,” Trang shared.

At 1 p.m. on October 8, about 30 people gathered at a home in Phu Son commune to cook. The group prepared shredded pork, boiled 1,200 eggs, made rice balls, and carefully packed the meals for delivery.

“By 8 p.m., we had packed 500 meals. Around 10 p.m., a group of 10 volunteers loaded up a truck and headed to Thai Nguyen to distribute the meals,” Trang said.

Witnessing the dedication and compassion of her fellow villagers, Trang felt both moved and proud. She hopes these simple meals will bring some comfort and encouragement to flood victims.

Night-long rescue missions

On the morning of October 8, while having breakfast, Le Thuong, born in 1987 and owner of a transportation business in Hai Phong, saw news coverage of the severe flooding in Thai Nguyen.

Struck by the residents’ plight, he decided to help however he could.

Knowing many groups wanted to send aid but lacked transportation, Thuong mobilized his resources and created a team to transport relief goods free of charge.

“By noon that day, I had gathered 50 vehicles, ranging from 1.5-ton to 9-ton trucks,” he said.

Thuong posted a message on his social media: “Charities and donors needing transport for relief goods, contact our team. We’ll deliver food, boats, lifebuoys, and supplies to the flooded areas - completely free of charge.”

His call received an immediate response, and relief trips were quickly organized.

“On the evening of October 8, everyone rushed to load the trucks to leave by 3 a.m. on October 9. From the photos our team sent, the trucks were packed with life jackets and essentials. I could feel the generosity and purpose behind each trip,” Thuong said.

The previous night, at 8 p.m. on October 7, Nguyen Minh Phuc, born in 1996 in Thanh Hoa, and six friends set out for Thai Nguyen with relief supplies.

With a pickup truck, a crane truck, and an ambulance, Phuc’s group brought two motorboats, a rescue boat, and essentials like instant noodles, bottled water, and milk to help people deal with the flooding.

By 3 a.m. on October 8, they arrived in Thai Nguyen. The group immediately used the boats to carry out rescue operations and deliver supplies to isolated communities.

“We went into areas with deep flooding to help evacuate people or deliver food and water. I remember most vividly helping two seriously ill children. Seeing how exhausted they were broke my heart,” Phuc shared.

The group worked tirelessly for over 10 hours, stopping only briefly for meals, determined to reach as many people as possible.

At 8 p.m., they initially planned to head to Bac Giang to continue relief work. But learning that Gia Sang ward in Thai Nguyen remained submerged, they chose to stay.

“We decided to keep going through the night using the motorboats and rescue boats, doing all we can to help more people,” Phuc said.