Holding on to people, holding on to rice fields and dykes
In Tan Hung commune, one of the lowest areas of Tay Ninh province, the water level this year has risen unusually. Since the flood, the standing militia have had almost no days off. Comrade Pham Si Bel - militia soldier of the Military Command (CHQS) of Tan Hung commune - shared: "Flood control is now no longer counted. People need me to be there. After finishing work, I came back!
On the dykes, many sections were washed away by water and eroded. Under the white rain, local militia, soldiers and people took turns building bags and buying tin. The rhythmic shouts are mixed with the roar of the pumps, all blending into an urgent rhythm in the flood season.
Comrade Nguyen Hoang Quan - Deputy Commander of the Military Command of Tan Hung Commune - said: "The militia force strictly implemented the duty regime, closely following each field and each residential area. Wherever there was an incident, there were militia. Sometimes while eating rice, when hearing the news of a broken bank, they immediately ran away. Everyone identifies this as a task, a responsibility to the people".
During peak days, the commune's military force had to divide into many small groups to both protect the dykes and support people in harvesting remaining crops. Everyone is wet, but everyone's eyes shine with determination.
The love between the army and the people is steadfast in the face of the silver water
Not only in Tan Hung, in Vinh Hung commune, floodwaters also rose rapidly in the fields. The family of Ms. Tran My Hanh, Go Cat hamlet, is one of the households whose rice was flooded. She emotionally said: "Without the help of the army, I would have lost everything. The water rose too quickly, the boat could not leave, the harvesters were tied up. A few soldiers wade down to dig rice in bunches, seeing it made me feel sorry.
In the fields flooded up to their chests, dozens of officers and soldiers of Company 9 - CHPTKV 4 (Tay Ninh Provincial Military Command) lined up, armed with their hands and rice, persistently cutting each clump. The rice is gathered and stacked on plastic tarpaulins connected to floating rafts to pull to shore.
Comrade Le Trung - a soldier of the 9th Infantry Corps - said while reaping: "Seeing the rice flooded, it's very painful. The labor is helpful, not tiring. Each bunch of rice is cut to save a part of the people's income".
In the windy rain, Senior Lieutenant Pham Thanh Tri - Captain of the 9th Infantry Corps - shouted: "Try to get up, comrade! Each bunch of rice is used to keep the sweat and efforts of our people. Don't let the flood sweep you away!
The sound of encouragement in the middle of the silver moon seemed to add strength. Her hands wade, boats lined up carrying rice to shore in the cold rain.
Mr. Nguyen Van Du, a farmer in Vinh Hung commune, emotionally said: "The soldiers and militia are very enthusiastic. My family has 8 samples, three of which were cut by a few uncles and uncles with militia and union members. Without them, I would be penniless.
In Hung Dien commune, local military forces are also working hard to reinforce the rice- protection dike section. Deputy Commander of the Commune Military Command, Mr. Le Thanh Hung, said: Cadres and soldiers always consider helping the people as their duty. Many brothers have been carrying the rain for many days, but no one has complained about the hardship. Preserving rice for the people is the greatest joy".
The flood will recede, the fields will be green again, the fields will return to the brilliant yellow of the new harvest season. But the image of the blue-clad soldiers hiding in the water, harvesting rice balls, building sandbags to protect the dike... will still be deeply imprinted in the hearts of people in the Dong Thap Muoi area. It is not only a story about the sense of responsibility, but also a vivid testament to the close relationship between the army and the people.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc - Director of Tay Ninh Hydrometeorological Station - said that the water level on rivers and canals in Dong Thap Muoi area is rising rapidly due to the combination of heavy rain on the spot, high tides and floods from upstream, with an average increase of 1-3 cm/day and night. The current water level at stations in the Dong Thap Muoi area is measured to be 449 cm higher than the same period in 2024.
Flood water is forecast to continue to rise and peak around October 23-24, the highest water level in 2025 may reach 3.4 m at Hung Dien B station; 3 m at Tan Hung (0.20 m higher than alert level II); 2 m at Moc Hoa (equal to alert level III); at Kien Binh and Tuyen Nhon stations is forecast to be about 0.05 m higher than alert level III.
Mr. Do Huu Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Tay Ninh - said that the whole province has sown nearly 92,000 hectares of rice in the Autumn-Winter crop, of which nearly 28,800 hectares have been harvested. In the Dong Thap Muoi area alone, more than 74,200 hectares have been sown, nearly 28,700 hectares have been harvested, the remaining 45,600 hectares are in the process of blooming, branching, and ripening.
The whole province has nearly 37,300 hectares of newly sown 2025-2026 Winter-Spring rice, of which Dong Thap Muoi area alone accounts for more than 27,800 hectares. According to initial statistics, floodwaters have damaged nearly 252 hectares of rice in Tay Ninh province, of which nearly 230 hectares were completely lost; 22 hectares of fruit trees and 1.5 hectares of vegetables were also affected. Mainly concentrated in communes such as Khanh Hung, Vinh Thanh, Vinh Chau... In particular, the whole province has more than 7,200 hectares of Autumn-Winter rice and 100 hectares of Winter-Spring rice that are at risk of flooding and damage due to floods.
