The army and people are united, the ancient capital of Hue recovers after the historic flood

Warming meal of the army in the midst of floodwaters

Remember the time when floodwaters rose for the third time in just one week, covering many residential areas in the Ancient Capital. Before it was clear, in a small house on Pham Bang Street (Huong An Ward, Hue City), the smoke from the kitchen had risen. Women's Union members of the Military Command of Hue City (CHQS) and members of the Charity Club are busy preparing hundreds of free meals to send to patients being treated at Military Hospital 268.

To have nutritious meals, the female soldiers personally selected food and carefully prepared each portion of the rice. More than 300 dishes are carefully packaged, each portion includes meat, fish, eggs, stir-fried vegetables, soup, with cakes, milk and 5 packages of instant noodles. Although the gift is small, it contains the affection and responsibility of soldiers in the rainy season.

Professional military major Tran Thi Ly - President of the Women's Union of the Hue Military Command - shared: "We have cooked dishes such as fish meat and vegetables to cook into rice and promptly delivered them to people in flooded areas and patients being treated in hospitals. With the spirit of "the healthy leaves cover the torn leaves" so that people can soon stabilize their lives".

The 268 Military Hospital during the rainy and flood days became a temporary shelter for hundreds of patients. Many roads were cut off, shops outside were closed, and food supply was difficult. In that situation, the warm meals given to the patient's hands helped him relieve his worries.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Toan, resident of Huong An ward, Hue city, said that in the past, he had a lack of food and drink. The water is in, so you have to eat instant noodles. In the past few days, when there has been rice from the army, everyone is very happy.

"I here find the army's food very comfortable and happy. Each meal is better than the other" - Ms. Ho Thi Kieu Anh - residing in Kim Tra ward, Hue city - confided. Those rustic words are the clearest proof of the affection between the army and the people that has been with us for generations.

Blue- shirted soldiers in the "forward"

Not only providing every meal for people during floods, the Hue Military Command has also become a support for students after natural disasters. Prolonged rain and floods caused hundreds of motorbikes of students at universities and colleges to be flooded and severely damaged. The City Military Command has mobilized officers and soldiers with technical skills to organize free vehicle repair points.

Accompanying the military, nearly 20 members of Dien Chau Motorcycle Club (Nghe An) traveled hundreds of kilometers to Hue to join hands to help. Every day, about 200 motorbikes are inspected, repaired, replaced with components and handed over to students.

Comrade Huynh Huu Trung, Battalion 1, Regiment 6, Hue Military Command said: Before joining the army, I learned motorbike repair. Through inspection, the vehicles were flooded, the engines stalled, and there was a lot of water entering the vehicles. If not repaired in time, the engine and the tank will break down when starting.

"My parents are also very worried at home, but when they heard that I was supported with free car repairs, they were very happy. Thank you to the soldiers for helping" - Van Thi Nhung - a student at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy - expressed.

Since the first flood, thousands of officers and soldiers of the armed forces have remained on duty in key areas. When floods come, they are the shock force to evacuate people, transport relief goods, and provide food. When the water recedes, they are the pioneers in clearing mud and soil, helping to restore schools, agencies, and residential areas.

In the days after the flood, Hue was sunny. When the clock had just turned 12, many soldiers, who had not yet had time to take a break, gathered, brought hoes, shovels, specialized vehicles... to journey to mud-filled and garbage-filled areas to clean. The work was hard, lasting for many days, making everyone tired, but no one complained. Because they understand that when people are in trouble, soldiers cannot rest their hands.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the army, police, militia, environmental workers and local authorities, the appearance of Hue city has gradually increased. The muddy roads are now cleaner, the rivers are also cleaner, schools and hospitals are cleaned up in time to soon welcome students and patients back.