In the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, an extraordinary scene unfolded this week as local police officers and youth volunteers waded through waist-deep floodwaters, racing against time to save the rice harvest of struggling farmers. On September 12, 2025, following days of relentless rainfall, the Krong Ana River in Dak Lak province swelled beyond its banks, inundating vast stretches of rice fields in several communes, most notably the Quynh Ngoc 2 area of Ea Na commune.
What began as a typical harvest season turned into a desperate battle against nature. The heavy rains, compounded by the release of water from upstream hydropower dams, sent river levels surging and left dozens of hectares of rice submerged. For many local families, the timing could not have been worse—their rice was ripe and ready for harvest, but now risked sprouting and rotting in the murky waters. As the days passed and the water showed no sign of receding, anxiety mounted among the region’s farmers, many of whom depend on a single annual crop for their livelihoods.
According to SGGP, the crisis prompted a rapid response from the commune police, security forces, and the local youth union. Early in the morning, about 30 police officers and security personnel, joined by 20 members of the youth union, gathered their tools and made their way to the submerged fields. Their mission: to help farmers salvage as much of their crop as possible before it was lost to the flood.
It was no easy feat. The fields of Quynh Ngoc 2 were not just damp—they were submerged deep enough to require the use of boats to ferry the rice to higher ground. Under a blazing sun, the volunteers and officers slogged through muddy water that reached above their waists, their uniforms and clothes soaked through. Yet, as photographs from SGGP show, the team pressed on with determination, cutting and bundling rice, then loading it onto boats and makeshift rafts to bring it safely ashore.
For families like that of Nguyen Thi Huong, this was nothing short of a lifeline. Huong, a resident of Quynh Ngoc 2, had more than two sào (about 2,000 square meters) of rice on the verge of harvest when the floodwaters struck. With only a few family members able to help, she was at a loss. "If the police officers and youth union members hadn’t come to help us harvest in time, our family would have lost everything this season," Huong shared, her relief palpable as she described the scene to local reporters.
The story was echoed by many others in the village. Dang Thanh Thuy, another resident whose fields were suddenly flooded by the rising Krong Ana River, admitted she was overwhelmed and didn’t know how she could possibly save her ripening rice. "Our house doesn’t have enough people, so I didn’t know what to do to rescue the rice that was just about ready to harvest. Thankfully, the police officers and youth union members arrived just in time to help us and the other villagers," Thuy said, according to SGGP.
The coordinated effort was not just about physical labor—it was a testament to the solidarity and community spirit that has long characterized rural Vietnam. As the youth union secretary of Ea Na commune, Y Siong Knul, explained, "This is not only our responsibility but also an expression of our care and sharing with the people. We hope that through these concrete actions, the local youth will help spread the spirit of unity, strengthen the bond between the military and the people, and help residents feel secure in production and stabilize their lives."
The impact of their work went beyond immediate relief. By acting quickly, the team managed to help numerous households, especially those facing hardship or lacking manpower, to bring in their rice before it could spoil. For some, this meant the difference between a season’s income and devastating loss. Particularly for the elderly and those living alone, the presence of uniformed officers and energetic young volunteers in their flooded fields was a powerful reminder that they were not forgotten.
Local officials were quick to recognize the significance of the operation. Nguyen Minh Dong, chairman of the Ea Na commune People’s Committee, confirmed that the timely intervention by police and youth union members had made a real difference. "The police force and youth union members just supported the people in harvesting rice and escaping the flood in time," Dong stated, emphasizing how their swift action helped minimize the damage from the persistent rains.
Images published by SGGP captured the gravity and the hope of the moment: officers and volunteers standing knee-deep in muddy water, their faces set with focus; bundles of golden rice being loaded onto boats; and lines of people moving methodically through the flooded paddies under a punishing sun. Despite the exhaustion, there was a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that shone through, leaving a lasting impression on all involved.
Behind the scenes, the operation also highlighted the importance of coordination between local authorities, security forces, and civil society groups. The youth union, with its network of enthusiastic volunteers, worked hand in hand with the police, who provided both manpower and logistical support. Together, they managed to organize the harvest, transport the rice to safety, and reassure anxious farmers that help was at hand.
As climate change brings more frequent and intense weather events to Vietnam’s agricultural heartlands, the challenges faced by farmers in Dak Lak are becoming increasingly common. Floods, droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns threaten not only crops but the fabric of rural communities. In this context, the story of Quynh Ngoc 2 stands out as a beacon of resilience—a reminder that in times of crisis, the bonds between neighbors, local officials, and volunteers can make all the difference.
For now, the waters in Dak Lak are receding, and the rescued rice is drying in the sun, safe from the threat of sprouting or rot. The fields may still bear the scars of the flood, but the memory of this collective effort—of police officers and young people laboring side by side with farmers—will linger long after the harvest is done. It’s a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of mutual aid that remains at the heart of rural Vietnam.
