Barefoot village chief remembers nearly 3,000 residents' names

In the aftermath of a historic flood that ravaged eastern Dak Lak province in late 2025, the village of My Phu 1 is slowly rebuilding.

Pham Van Long, the village chief, has become a symbol of resilience and dedication for his community. Known affectionately as the "barefoot village chief," Long has tirelessly worked to support his nearly 3,000 residents through the disaster and recovery.

During the peak of the flood, Long prioritized evacuating the elderly and children to safety, often wading through dangerous waters. Even as his own shrimp farm and livestock operation suffered nearly 500 million Vietnamese dong in losses, he focused on assisting his villagers. "Losing family assets is painful, but as a village official, I must prioritize the people during hardship," Long stated. "How could I take care of my own family while letting the villagers go hungry or face danger?"

A video of Long, standing barefoot in the village's cultural house, reciting the names of nearly 800 households eligible for aid without referring to any records, went viral. This display of deep connection and knowledge of his community's circumstances earned widespread admiration.

His meticulous and fair approach to distributing aid from the government and donors ensured that relief reached those most in need, preventing any disputes or complaints. Deeply flooded homes and severely damaged houses received priority, while others received their due support. This transparency and fairness have made My Phu 1 a beacon of unity and compassion.

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Losing family assets is painful, but as a village official, I must prioritize the people during hardship. How could I take care of my own family while letting the villagers go hungry or face danger?