Artist's journey leaves the spotlight to reach people in flooded areas
As continuous heavy rains and storms and floods swept through the South Central and Central Highlands, the lives of thousands of households were disrupted. Roads were cut off, houses were deeply submerged in water, many places fell into serious shortages. In that context, many artists decided to set off, not to create a personal mark but to contribute a part to the general support of society.
It is noteworthy that the appearance of artists at this time is more personal than simultaneous in the movement. They came because they felt the need to be there, because of the urge to witness news and images of areas struggling with floods.
Miss Huong Giang, right after returning from "Miss Universe 2025", did not stop at the airport but went straight to Dak Lak - a place that is heavily affected. The first moment she set foot in the flooded area made her choked up, especially when she saw children shiver in the cold ground after many hours of isolation. She shared that only when she directly witnessed it, all the ideas in her head became clear and urged her to make a real contribution.
In Khanh Hoa, Runner-up Hoang Thuy stood in the middle of a house with mud marks, where the homeowner was trying to pick up the remaining belongings. She shared that she could not help but be surprised by the extent of the damage, but what made her think most about was the resilience of the people.
"When meeting the relief team, many people said in tears, "we have lost everything," Hoang Thuy said. In addition to gifts and items from benefactors, the model donated an additional 70 million VND to support everyone.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the volunteer atmosphere at the goods gathering points takes place continuously. There, singer Ly Hai - Minh Ha and her husband were present almost every day. They sit between boxes of noodles, rice, and drinking water, meticulously checking and transporting them onto the truck. No longer the image of a famous singer or beauty in the media, they join the volunteer team like real workers. Mr. Ly Hai simply said that the most important thing is "to be at the right place, at the right time".
It was the concentration and speed of the volunteer group coordinated by the couple that helped many 0 VND trucks to wheel continuously during the days of rising water, carrying tons of necessities from the Southern people to the areas that were heavily affected.
Actress Trinh Kim Chi also spent many hours sitting and sorting clothes, checking dry food, wiping each box of milk and each shoe to ensure that people can use them immediately when they receive them. She said that information about some communes having power outages and children having to sleep on corrugated iron roofs makes people work faster and more carefully, because every hour has meaning for flooded areas.
What is easily seen in the artist's relief journey is her integration into the charity community. They work together to transport, classify, record, and clean - quiet but essential tasks. There was no separation or gap between artists and audiences during those golden days. All work towards a common goal: Supporting people to overcome the most difficult period.
Natural disasters always make people return with the foundational values: C much-covering, sharing. And it was during those challenging days that artists became the highlight in the picture of the common efforts of society towards the Central region and the Central Highlands.
When artists become motivation to stand up
If the journey to the flood area reflects determination and action, then time spent is a story of listening and understanding. Artists do not only bring food or clothes. They bring a spirit of support and a warm presence, which people need to feel less secure after the rainy and flood days.
Many artists confided that what makes them think most about is not the scene of their house being swept away by water, but the perseverance of the people when standing up from the ruins. Some people who had just received the gift asked for more for the neighbor before they could go out. Some people took the opportunity to pick up the remaining belongings and clean them up little by little with their children and grandchildren. That initiative is a lesson in determination that everyone who has witnessed it will remember.
A moment that moved many people was when Huong Giang sat next to the elderly and children affected by storms and floods and listened to them tell stories of their past. Behind the sad stories are their wishes after natural disasters: Hoping to have a roof, hoping to see the familiar shape of their old life again.
For Hoang Thuy, the most memorable moment was when people took her hand and said that as long as someone came, she felt more secure. Such statements do not paint adversity with rosy roses, but clearly demonstrate the true need of people in flooded areas: Accompanying.
It is worth noting that after the water recedes, artists do not accept too big a role. They returned to their daily work, giving the main focus to the government and professional forces during the reconstruction period. The mark they leave is therefore very natural. Not the stories told repeatedly, but the moments when people remember the feeling of being motivated during the most difficult period.
Natural disasters can sweep away many things, but they cannot sweep away love. Artists' love in the days of storms and floods is not a story of painting or praising too much. It is simply the active participation of a part of society - those who are luckier to contribute to the common effort.
And perhaps, in the muddy lands, the most beautiful light does not come from the stage, but from the moments when artists stand next to the people, looking towards the dawn after the storm.
