When Storm Bualoi, known locally as Storm No. 10, swept across Vietnam's southern coast in late September and early October 2025, its destructive force was felt from battered fishing vessels to the highest offices of government. The Ministry of Home Affairs and local authorities sprang into action, orchestrating a massive, coordinated response as communities reeled from the storm’s aftermath.
On October 3, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued Official Dispatch No. 8801/BNV-VP, a directive that underscored the urgency of the situation and laid out a clear mandate: overcome the consequences of Storm Bualoi and the subsequent floods, and do so without delay. According to Dân trí, the Ministry was instructed to work hand-in-hand with other ministries, sectors, and localities, ensuring that support reached those most affected as quickly as possible.
The scale of the disaster prompted a rare joint message of condolence from General Secretary To Lam and the Prime Minister. Their statement, as reported by Dân trí, expressed “deep condolences to families of victims and shared sympathy with affected local authorities and people.” The gravity of their words resonated across the country, serving as both a gesture of solidarity and a rallying cry for recovery efforts.
Prime Ministerial directives came swiftly. Official Dispatches No. 176/CT-TTg and 178/CT-TTg called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to disaster recovery, with a singular goal: stabilize people’s lives as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister demanded that “forces be mobilized with utmost urgency to continue searching for missing persons and maintaining absolute safety for rescue teams.” The message was clear—no effort would be spared, and the safety of both victims and rescuers would be paramount.
One of the most pressing concerns was medical care. The Prime Minister’s directive gave explicit priority to “free medical treatment for injured people.” In times of crisis, such assurances can be the difference between despair and hope, especially for families who have lost homes or livelihoods to the floodwaters.
On the front lines, the Ministry of Home Affairs required every department and unit to thoroughly disseminate and implement these directives. If any issues arose that were beyond their immediate authority, officials were told to “report promptly for timely guidance.” This strict chain of communication was intended to ensure that no problem, no matter how small, would go unaddressed for long.
Meanwhile, the storm’s impact was not just felt on land. Far out at sea, the dangers were just as real—and sometimes even more immediate. On the morning of October 4, 2025, the Border Guard Station of Hon Chuoi Island in Ca Mau province mobilized a rescue operation that would test the mettle of its officers and local fishermen alike. According to reports from the Border Guard Station, at 3:30 a.m. on September 30, the fishing boat BT 93185 TS, captained by Huynh Thai Bao with two crew members, was struck by powerful waves about three nautical miles southeast of Hon Chuoi Island. The boat, which had set out from Song Doc in Ca Mau just hours earlier, was quickly overwhelmed by the sea.
In a stroke of luck and solidarity, another fishing boat, BT 92637 TS, was operating nearby. Its crew responded immediately, pulling all three men from the water and bringing them safely aboard. The quick thinking and bravery of these fishermen, according to the Border Guard Station, likely saved lives that morning.
But the ordeal was far from over. After receiving the distress call from the boat’s owner, Ho Van Nho, the Hon Chuoi Border Guard Station dispatched 10 officers and soldiers, along with the fishing boat CM 02850 TS—commandeered from local fisherman Le Van Cat—for a rescue and salvage mission. The teams battled fierce winds and high waves, which repeatedly hampered their efforts to reach the sunken boat and tow it back to safety.
For several days, the rescue teams and local residents worked side by side, often risking their own safety as the storm’s remnants lingered. By 6:30 p.m. on October 3, their perseverance paid off: the stricken fishing boat was finally towed back to Hon Chuoi Island. The estimated property damage, according to the Border Guard Station, was about 400 million VND—a significant loss, but one that could have been far worse had lives been lost.
Back on the mainland, the Ministry of Home Affairs was not only focused on the broader disaster response, but also on its own personnel. Officials and workers were required to report immediately any damage to assets, health, or lives caused by the storm and floods. This internal vigilance was designed to ensure that the very people leading the recovery were themselves supported and accounted for.
Coordination was the watchword throughout. The Ministry demanded “enhanced coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities to support affected people and quickly overcome consequences caused by Storm No. 10 and floods.” The goal was to leave no one behind, whether they were stranded at sea, displaced from their homes, or working on the front lines of the relief effort.
The rescue of the fishing crew near Hon Chuoi Island became a symbol of the broader national response—one marked by cooperation, urgency, and resilience. The Border Guard Station and local residents continued to support the damaged vessel’s recovery, working together to bring it ashore and begin repairs. These efforts, while perhaps small in the context of a nationwide disaster, captured the spirit of community that often emerges in the wake of tragedy.
For many in the affected regions, the path to recovery will be long. The storm’s toll—on property, infrastructure, and livelihoods—will take time to repair. Yet, the rapid mobilization of government agencies, the heroism of rescue crews, and the solidarity shown by neighbors offer hope that, together, these communities can weather even the fiercest storms.
As the waters recede and the rebuilding begins, the lessons of Storm Bualoi will not soon be forgotten. The coordinated response, the clear lines of communication, and the unwavering commitment to public safety have set a standard for disaster management in Vietnam. And for the families who survived, and those who mourn, the nation’s swift action stands as a testament to the power of unity in the face of adversity.
