In the northern tourist province of Lao Cai, soldiers and volunteers have searched the flooded areas for those who are still missing, reinforce public works and evacuate people to higher ground. They have worked with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defence to bring more than 1,000 stranded tourists, including foreigners, to safe areas.

By the afternoon of August 11, several communes of in the districts of Bat Xat and Bao Yen remained cut off. More than 400 visitors and employees of non-governmental organizations working on projects in Lao Cai were staying in Lao Cai city, Sa Pa district and Pho Rang town. The Lao Cai provincial People’s Committee has also asked local administrations and the public to provide them with accommodation.

Frederic, a French tourist, who booked a tour of Sa Pa told a VOV correspondent, while waiting for a helicopter, that his group of foreign tourists had to stay in Sa Pa for several days due to the violent floodwaters.

“”We have never seen such big floods. It is terrible. Luckily, we have received great support from the local administration and people,” said Frederic. 

By the afternoon, the northern aviation service authority put on six helicopter flights, carrying nearly 100 foreign visitors to Hanoi.