In the wake of several days marked by relentless search and rescue efforts, authorities in Lào Cai province announced on the afternoon of August 29, 2025, that the body of a flood victim missing since August 26 had been found. The discovery brings a somber closure to a tragedy that has gripped the tight-knit community of Ngũ Chỉ Sơn commune, situated in Vietnam’s mountainous northwestern region.
According to Báo Lao Cai, the victim, identified as Lý A H., was born in 1998 and resided in Can Hồ Mông village, Ngũ Chỉ Sơn commune. His body was located at 16:15 on August 29 at the reservoir of Sùng Vui Hydropower, in Bát Xát commune, approximately 8 kilometers downstream from where he was swept away. Local officials have since handed over Lý A H.’s remains to his family, so they may carry out traditional funeral rites.
The chain of events began on August 25, when Lào Cai province was battered by heavy, prolonged rains. The downpour was attributed to the lingering effects of storm No. 5, which brought widespread flooding and landslides to the region. By around 13:00 on August 26, disaster struck Can Hồ Mông village. Floodwaters surged through the area, sweeping away two local residents: Vàng A Giàng, born in 1986, and Lý A H. Both men lived in Can Hồ Mông, a village that, like many others in the region, is no stranger to the perils of nature’s wrath.
As reported by Vietnamplus, local authorities and residents responded with remarkable speed and resolve. Within hours of the incident, a search party of about 180 people—including militia, police, and villagers—had been mobilized. Their initial efforts bore fruit later that same day. By 17:00, rescue teams successfully located Vàng A Giàng and rushed him to Sa Pa General Hospital for emergency treatment. Tragically, there was no sign of Lý A H., and so the search continued, undeterred by the treacherous conditions and the scale of destruction left in the flood’s wake.
The search for Lý A H. was both exhaustive and methodical. The commune’s Disaster Prevention and Civil Defense Command indicated that search teams concentrated their efforts along the banks of local streams, particularly from Đôi stream to the Mây Hồ hydropower dam. The terrain, already hazardous on a good day, had been further destabilized by the deluge, with landslides and debris posing constant threats to rescuers.
On the afternoon of August 29, the long and difficult search finally came to an end. The body of Lý A H. was found at the Sùng Vui Hydropower reservoir, a grim testament to the force of the floodwaters that had carried him so far from home. In accordance with local customs, authorities coordinated with his family to ensure that all necessary procedures were followed for his burial.
The human toll of the disaster has been heavy. Reports from Báo Lao Cai and Lao động confirm that the flooding and landslides on August 26 resulted in one death, one missing person (now found deceased), and at least three injuries. The devastation did not end there. The deluge buried fish ponds, leading to losses estimated at nearly 12 billion VND, and caused significant damage to infrastructure. National Route 155 was rendered impassable for 1.5 kilometers, requiring the excavation of approximately 2,500 cubic meters of soil and rock. The estimated cost of these damages stands at about 7.5 billion VND.
According to Lao động, the broader impact of storm No. 5 was even more severe. Across Lào Cai province, 992 homes suffered damage, nearly 765 hectares of agricultural land were affected, and fish farmers lost 2.2 tons of salmon. The region’s transportation network was left in disarray, with major arterial roads like National Routes 32 and 4D experiencing landslides and blockages, further complicating rescue and recovery operations.
Despite these daunting challenges, the response from both authorities and the local populace has been nothing short of extraordinary. As Vietnamplus noted, “Authorities and people worked together to overcome the disaster’s consequences and stabilize people’s lives.” The mobilization of 180 individuals for the search effort is a testament to the sense of solidarity and resilience that defines communities in this mountainous region. It’s a reminder that, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, the spirit of cooperation can help communities weather the worst of storms.
The tragedy in Ngũ Chỉ Sơn is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident. The rugged landscape of northern Vietnam makes it particularly susceptible to flash floods and landslides, especially during the rainy season. In recent years, the region has seen several such disasters, each one testing the limits of local disaster preparedness and response. The events following storm No. 5 have once again highlighted both the vulnerability of these communities and their capacity for collective action.
For the families directly affected, the pain is immeasurable. The loss of Lý A H., a young man in the prime of his life, is a blow not only to his loved ones but to the entire village. Yet, as officials and villagers come together to mourn, rebuild, and support one another, there is also a renewed determination to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience for the future.
As recovery efforts continue, the focus has shifted to restoring damaged infrastructure, supporting those who lost homes and livelihoods, and learning lessons that might help prevent similar tragedies in the years ahead. The authorities have pledged ongoing support, and the experience has underscored the critical importance of early warning systems, coordinated emergency response, and community-based disaster risk reduction.
In the days and weeks to come, the people of Ngũ Chỉ Sơn and Lào Cai province will continue the difficult work of recovery. The memory of those lost will linger, but so too will the stories of courage, solidarity, and hope that emerged from the floodwaters. In a region where nature’s power is both a blessing and a curse, these qualities remain the bedrock of community life.
As Lào Cai turns the page on this latest disaster, the resolve to build back stronger—and to honor the memory of those like Lý A H.—remains unbroken.