Flood survivors find new homes in Nghệ An resettlement area

In the aftermath of a devastating flood that swept through western Nghệ An province, Vietnam, new resettlement areas have emerged, offering residents a chance to rebuild their lives in safer locations. In Phá Mựt village, a year after the historic deluge, a newly paved concrete road now leads to the community, symbolizing a return to normalcy.

The flood, which occurred in late July 2025, inundated the region, burying agricultural land under mud and debris. The new Phá Mựt resettlement area, spanning over two hectares on elevated ground about a kilometer from the old village, was established to house families whose homes were destroyed or were in danger zones prone to landslides. Despite challenges in finding suitable land due to protected forest areas and steep terrain, local authorities secured a location and completed essential infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and water.

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Ngày 20.7 năm ngoái, mưa rất to và kéo dài liên tục, đến hôm sau thì đất trên núi phía sau nhà tôi có dấu hiệu sụt xuống. Tôi ra kiểm tra, thấy không ổn nên bảo vợ con khẩn trương chạy ra khỏi nhà. Chúng tôi chỉ ôm được vài thứ cần thiết rồi hai vợ chồng và 3 đứa con tức tốc kéo nhau chạy lên núi. Khoảng 1 giờ sau thì đất đá sụt xuống, đè sập căn nhà

Sixteen households have already received plots and begun constructing new homes. Many residents, like Xồng Bá Đầu, recount harrowing escapes from the rising waters, describing how they fled their homes with only essential belongings as the land behind their houses began to collapse. They spent days sheltering on a mountain before returning to find their homes destroyed or unsafe.

Families who had been temporarily housed in makeshift shelters or with relatives are now moving into their new, sturdy wooden homes. The resettlement project provides a crucial sense of security, allowing these families to move past the trauma of the flood and establish a stable future. The construction of these homes marks a significant step in their recovery and a return to community life.

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Thấy núi sắp sạt, mọi người hô nhau chạy. Đàn ông cõng người già và trẻ nhỏ; phụ nữ ôm theo gạo, xoong nồi. Tất cả chỉ biết chạy lên núi tránh nạn; còn may lũ về ban ngày, chứ ban đêm thì chưa biết chừng