Accompanying a volunteer delegation organised by the provincial Youth Union, we traveled to Chieng So commune, one of the hardest-hit areas. The flood claimed the lives of three people, left one missing, affected 264 households, destroyed 120 hectares of rice fields, and washed away three suspension bridges, causing an estimated 85 billion VND (3.24 million USD) in damage.

Though the rain had stopped and the floodwaters had receded, the devastation was overwhelming. Debris and mud were scattered everywhere. The 130-member volunteer team - made up of youth union officials, lecturers, and students from Tay Bac University - quickly split into two groups to assist residents in the central area of Chieng So and the former Nam Ty commune.

To reach remote hamlets like Pong and Pao Ha, where landslides had severely impacted households, volunteers had to walk over 3 kilometers and wade through streams.

Despite the sweltering heat and their shirts soaked with sweat and mud, the volunteers worked tirelessly side by side with locals to clean up the aftermath.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Tran Dang Khoa, a lecturer at Tay Bac University, shared: "Seeing the devastation firsthand — homes destroyed, families losing everything they’d worked for — was heartbreaking. We helped dismantle damaged houses and move residents to safer areas. The work is hard, but supporting the community is deeply meaningful to us."

In Na Loc hamlet, more than 23 volunteers assisted households buried in over a meter of mud. Lu Thu Phuong from the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee’s Youth Affairs Board said:

"Our team started at 5 a.m., helping three families whose homes were severely flooded. We also worked with villagers to clear 300 meters of blocked road, allowing 11 households to regain motorbike access. In just two days, we did our best to assist as many families in urgent need as possible."

Some volunteers came from families that were themselves affected by the floods. Vi Van Diep, a youth union officer from Bang hamlet, Chieng So commune, said: "My family was lucky as we only lost some crops and a fish pond. I wanted to join my fellow youth volunteers to support others in even more difficult situations. It’s our duty to stand by our community."

Right after the floods struck, the provincial Youth Union mobilised local youth forces to assist with evacuations, asset protection, and initial clean-ups.

Cam Thi Huyen Trang, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, said: "From July 31 to August 3, we organised three volunteer delegations involving 265 members from various organisations, including the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee’s Youth Affairs Board, the Youth Division of the provincial Department of Public Security, Tay Bac University, Son La College, Na San Airport’s Youth Union, border guard units, and local volunteer clubs, to support affected communes like Huoi Mot, Chieng So, and Song Ma."

Each volunteer team was divided into task forces to help with sanitation, clearing debris from homes, public buildings and schools, and transporting relief supplies to isolated hamlets.

In addition to manpower, the provincial Youth Union also mobilised social donations with 110 million VND in cash, 14 gift packages, 500 boxes of instant noodles, blankets, bottled water, 150 kg of rice, and other essential items to flood-hit households in Chieng So and Huoi Mot communes.

Receiving a relief package from the Youth Union, Lo Thi Linh of Na Lan hamlet, Chieng So commune, was deeply moved. She said her house was damaged by a landslide and is no longer safe. Life was already hard, and now it’s even harder. She expressed deep thanks to the Youth Union and the volunteers who came to help her family.

True to the spirit of “Wherever they are needed, young people are there,” the youth of Son La have exemplified courage, compassion, and solidarity, bringing hope to flood-stricken communities and helping them take the first steps toward recovery.