This year, Tet brings joy to the village but also many worries after the second historic storm that caused the whole area to be flooded dozens of meters deep.
Having just put aside the work of repairing his house that was devastated by floodwaters, Mr. Tong Van Phong (40 years old) shared: “It seemed like we could no longer celebrate Tet. The floodwaters swept away all the rice, livestock, and severely damaged our houses. But the villagers overcame it together.”
Storm No. 2 with prolonged heavy rains submerged Phieng Nghe. Traffic was cut off, food was scarce, and people had to rely on relief supplies from the government and volunteer groups. The image of houses submerged so deeply that only roofs could be seen, gardens and livestock submerged in water, is still vivid in the memories of the people here.
In the days before Tet, the atmosphere of urgent work covers the whole village. Some people clean their houses, some repair their barns, some rebuild collapsed walls. The sound of saws and hammers mixed with laughter and chatter signal that a new spring is approaching.
Small stalls selling banh chung and Tet jam have reappeared along the roadside. The sounds of children playing around peach and plum trees make the Tet atmosphere closer than ever. Although not as full as previous years, Tet for the people of Phieng Nghe this year is a Tet of revival.
Volunteer groups from all over have brought meaningful Tet gifts to Phieng Nghe: from bags of rice, boxes of noodles, to warm clothes and even peach and apricot trees. This sharing not only helps people have more conditions to celebrate Tet but also warms their spirits after the losses.
Although difficulties still exist, the Phieng Nghe people are gradually overcoming them. This year's Tet is not only an occasion for reunion but also a new beginning after many losses. In the dry, golden sunlight of spring, the sound of panpipes and singing resounds in the stilt houses.
Mrs. Lo Thi Hau smiled brightly: “This Tet is not full but very warm. We believe that the new year will be better. The crops will be green again, the house will be spacious again.”
Previously, due to the impact of storm No. 2, flooding caused severe damage to this village. According to statistics, the flood submerged 40 hectares of corn, 10 hectares of coffee trees and 5 hectares of fish ponds of the people; many hectares of corn and coffee fields were eroded; 38 houses were submerged in water.
