Rising after the flood

In the memories of many, the flash flood that struck Mường Pồn commune on the night of July 24 and early morning of July 25, 2024, remains unforgettable. The raging waters swept away and damaged more than 100 houses, buried nearly 160 hectares of farmland, and claimed the lives of seven people, who were either dead or missing. In just a few hours, entire villages were submerged in floodwaters, mud, and grief, leaving behind damages estimated at hundreds of billions of đồng.

As time passed, the pain gradually subsided, giving way to a determined journey of recovery. Mud was cleared, houses rebuilt, roads and embankments reinforced. On once-buried rice fields, green shoots of rice, corn, and cassava now grow again. Where cultivation was no longer possible, farmers switched to new crops. Across the villages, people were busy repairing homes, building livestock pens, and restoring fields, working together to rebuild their homeland, as if to declare: Mường Pồn will not fall.

In Lĩnh hamlet, the hardest-hit area, the strength of life is palpable. From devastation and ruin, the hamlet now shines with new tin-roofed houses, red and green under the sun, like pieces of a hopeful mosaic. The national flag flutters proudly; children laugh and play beside their new homes, their bright voices chasing away the shadows of tragedy.

The family of Quàng Thị Dên in Lĩnh hamlet suffered severe losses. When the floodwaters roared through, their humble wooden home and all their hard-earned possessions were swept away in an instant. “All I could do was stand there and cry. Everything was gone, from the rice pot to the blanket for my children,” recalled Dên, her eyes still reflecting the shock.

Yet in her despair, she told herself: “As long as we’re alive, we can start over.” That belief gave her the strength to begin again. Now, one year later, having moved to a safer resettlement site on higher ground, her family has a sturdy new home. Beside it, vegetable beds are green again, and their farmland is gradually being restored. Her children are back in school.

Alongside efforts to stabilize housing, livelihood support programs have been launched. For example, a 23-hectare rice cultivation project in Lĩnh and Tin Tốc hamlets has introduced new production opportunities while helping residents access modern farming techniques suited to the local highland climate. Local authorities have leveled more than 66 hectares of buried land and restored another 115 hectares of farmland. Nearly 400 households have also been given support to start poultry farming, helping them recover quickly and stabilize their lives.

Although her family suffered no loss of life, Tòng Thị Xúng in Lĩnh hamlet saw all her belongings, livestock, and poultry washed away, and nearly 8,000 square meters of farmland buried under mud. Refusing to bow to misfortune, she worked to start anew. With timely government support, her family received breeding stock, guidance on soil restoration, and training in new production methods. Now, rice has taken root and corn ears are forming on 4,000 square meters of restored land. Livestock pens have been rebuilt, and the chirping of young chicks signals a new life emerging.

The local government has also taken long-term, sustainable measures. Projects are underway to build embankments protecting farmland and residential areas, and to regulate water flow from Mường Pồn 1 hamlet to Tin Tốc hamlet, reducing landslide risks and protecting 90 households, 160 hectares of paddy fields, and 2.5 hectares of fishponds. Irrigation systems are being upgraded to ensure stable water supply for agriculture. These steps reflect the determination not only to “patch things up” after the disaster but to create a solid foundation for Mường Pồn’s long-term safety and development in the face of climate change.

Nguyễn Đăng Hùng, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Mường Pồn commune, shared that the locality had never before faced such a catastrophic natural disaster. Yet in adversity, compassion and solidarity, together with the support of the government, armed forces, organizations, businesses, and above all, the unity of the people, enabled Mường Pồn to stand strong again. More than 100 houses have been built; livelihood models implemented; projects repaired or newly constructed, clear evidence of a determined reconstruction effort. Though life remains challenging, it has stabilized: children are back in school, and production activities are bustling once more.

Lessons in flood preparedness

A year after the devastating flash flood, painful memories still linger. But from that tragedy, the community has undergone a transformation in awareness and action for disaster prevention, shifting from passive reaction to proactive adaptation and preparedness.

In the past, during heavy rain, villagers would simply wait for the water to recede. Now, every household monitors storm and flood conditions, watching the flow, color of the stream, and the rumbling from upstream to detect the risk of flash floods. Each family keeps an “emergency backpack” with essential items such as documents, medicine, dried food, raincoats, and flashlights, ready to evacuate when warnings are issued.

Home construction practices have also changed. Many families have relocated away from stream banks and slopes. New houses are built on higher ground with solid foundations, sturdy tin roofs, and brick or reinforced frames. Some households have added mud barriers or dug drainage ditches around their homes to reduce flood damage. Children are taught flood escape skills.

Flood preparedness has become a community effort. In hamlets like Tin Tốc, Mường Pồn 1, Mường Pồn 2, and Lĩnh, community watch teams have been formed. Some monitor weather, others observe water flows and check landslide-prone areas; some are responsible for issuing alerts and assisting with evacuation. Responsibilities are clearly assigned. Disaster prevention is now everyone’s responsibility, forming an “early warning system” within the community itself.

Thanks to these proactive measures, on the night of July 25, 2025, exactly one year after the flash flood, Mường Pồn once again faced prolonged heavy rain, sudden stream surges, and mud and rocks entering some homes. However, thanks to early warnings and coordinated action between the authorities and residents, no casualties occurred, and property damage was minimized. This is clear proof of the effectiveness of improving community disaster response capacity.

Cà Văn Điện of Mường Pồn 2 hamlet shared: “After last year’s flood, I joined a training course on escape skills and flood recognition. Now my family always keeps emergency supplies ready and is prepared to evacuate during heavy rains. We’ve also reinforced our home, raising the foundation, building sturdy walls, and adding wooden latches to the windows. Thanks to this readiness and vigilance, during the recent heavy rains, my family and many others in the hamlet remained safe.”

The mindset around farming and forest protection in Mường Pồn has also shifted dramatically. Residents now actively participate in flood prevention planning and propose models suited to local realities. Crops are adapted to the new climate and terrain. The practice of clearing forest for farmland is ending, as people understand that protecting the forest is protecting life. Bare hills are being reforested. No longer just coping with immediate threats, villagers are thinking about the future, ensuring they will not be left empty-handed after a single night of rain and flood.

According to Hà Quốc Thịnh, Secretary of the Mường Pồn commune Party Committee, the commune has worked with relevant agencies to issue flood risk warnings for specific areas, enabling residents to proactively develop suitable response plans. Support programs are implemented comprehensively, from building solid houses, providing new crop varieties, to organizing training on escape skills and climate-adaptive farming techniques.

Natural disasters remain a constant threat, but what is most admirable is that the people here have not chosen to surrender. Instead, they choose to adapt, turning hardship into the driving force to rise again.

Leaving Mường Pồn, one cannot help but feel moved, not only by the majestic beauty of the Northwestern mountains, but by the powerful vitality of its people. They have endured immense loss but never lost faith. One year ago, they were left with nothing. One year later, they stand tall again, rebuilding with their own hands, with community spirit, and with the desire for a peaceful, strong life. Their journey continues, but with each steady step forward, today’s Mường Pồn has become a symbol of the unyielding spirit of renewal in the highlands.