On the afternoon of September 27, 2025, tragedy struck the city of Hue as relentless rains and rising floodwaters claimed the life of a woman in An Cuu ward. According to multiple local news outlets, including Nhan Dan, Suc Khoe & Doi Song, Bao Thanh Tra, and Tien Phong, Duong Thi Hue, 35, and her husband Nguyen Duy Hung, 40, were attempting to make their way to the bus station to return to their hometown in Thanh Hoa. The couple, originally from Thanh Hoa but renting a house in alley 46 Nguyen Duc Canh street, had hoped to escape the incoming storm that had already brought heavy rain and swelling rivers to the area.
But fate had other plans. At around 3:00 p.m., as the couple carefully picked their way through the flooded streets, disaster struck at the very beginning of the alley. The water, described by authorities as deep and fast-flowing, turned the simple act of walking into a perilous journey. Eyewitnesses and officials recounted that Ms. Hue slipped and, in a matter of seconds, was swept away by the current into a nearby rice field. The incident happened so quickly that Mr. Hung, caught off guard, was unable to save his wife. "The event happened too fast for the husband to rescue her," reported Tien Phong.
In the immediate aftermath, Mr. Hung was left in shock. It was not until about 6:00 p.m. that he was able to contact authorities for help. This delay, while understandable given the circumstances, added to the urgency and complexity of the rescue efforts that followed. Local officials, including the fire police, rescue teams, and the An Cuu ward police, responded without hesitation. They coordinated an urgent search, deploying both personnel and equipment well into the night. "The fire police, rescue forces, and local police in Hue city coordinated urgently to search for the missing woman," Nhan Dan confirmed.
The rescue operation was anything but easy. Heavy, continuous rain pounded the city, and the floodwaters continued to rise. The strong currents and poor visibility complicated every step. "Heavy rain and strong currents complicated rescue efforts," noted Bao Thanh Tra. Yet, the teams pressed on, sweeping the area where Ms. Hue was last seen and expanding the search radius as the hours ticked by. Divers were even brought in to assist, as shown in photos published by Tien Phong.
Meanwhile, the local government sprang into action to protect other residents from similar dangers. Authorities implemented the so-called "four onsite" policy, a disaster response approach that includes on-the-ground inspection of high-risk areas, the erection of barricades, traffic control, and public warnings to keep people away from flooded or landslide-prone zones. As the storm showed no sign of relenting, the government also began evacuating residents from the most vulnerable, low-lying neighborhoods. "Local authorities evacuated residents from flooded and vulnerable areas to safe places and urgently conducted public notifications on the night of September 27, 2025," Tien Phong reported. The chairwoman of the An Cuu ward People’s Committee, Hoang Thi Nhu Thanh, emphasized that heavy rain and swift currents posed significant risks and that every effort was being made to both locate the missing woman and keep the community safe.
Throughout the night, rescue teams worked tirelessly. Their efforts were supported by local volunteers and emergency services, with the community watching anxiously. But as the hours passed, hope began to fade. It was not until the morning of September 28 that closure came—though not the outcome anyone had wished for. The People's Committee of An Cuu ward confirmed that the body of Ms. Hue had been found. "The body was discovered by locals after the water receded, not far from the accident site," reported Suc Khoe & Doi Song. Rescue teams retrieved her remains and, following necessary procedures, prepared to hand her over to her grieving family for funeral arrangements.
The emotional toll on Mr. Hung and the wider community was palpable. Local authorities and volunteers moved quickly to support the family. The emergency vehicle service of Thua Thien Hue province stepped in to help transport Ms. Hue's body back to her hometown in Thanh Hoa, ensuring that her final journey would be handled with dignity and care.
This tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on the dangers faced by residents during Vietnam’s storm season, particularly in flood-prone central regions like Hue. The incident underscores the unpredictable and deadly nature of flash floods, especially when combined with heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage systems. According to Nhan Dan, authorities had already been issuing warnings and deploying safety measures, but the sheer force of the storm and the speed of the water’s rise proved overwhelming.
It’s a scenario that has played out before in the region, but each new incident brings renewed calls for improved infrastructure, better early-warning systems, and more robust community education on flood risks. The "four onsite" policy, while effective in many respects, can only do so much in the face of nature’s fury. The local government’s prompt response—inspecting high-risk areas, setting up barricades, and issuing public warnings—undoubtedly saved lives, but as this case shows, no system is foolproof.
Officials have urged residents to heed warnings, avoid flooded streets, and remain vigilant as the storm season continues. But for many, including Mr. Hung, these warnings came too late. The story of Duong Thi Hue is a stark reminder that even the most ordinary of actions—walking to a bus station—can turn tragic under the wrong circumstances.
As the city of Hue recovers from this latest disaster, the community is left grappling with grief and searching for lessons to prevent future tragedies. The coordinated efforts of rescue teams, the compassion of local volunteers, and the resilience of the people provide some comfort in the face of loss. But the memory of September 27, 2025, will linger, a somber testament to the power of nature and the fragility of life.
In the end, the city’s swift response and the support shown to the victim’s family reveal a community united by empathy, even as it confronts the relentless challenges of the rainy season.