Seven months after Typhoons Matmo and Bualoi struck Vietnam, communities are recovering with resilience and determination, including in Thái Nguyên Province. 

A joint-delegation from the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam visited affected areas to see firsthand how people are rebuilding their lives and strengthening their capacity to withstand future shocks, supported by humanitarian assistance and early recovery efforts.

In October 2025, Typhoons Matmo and Bualoi caused widespread flooding and landslides across central and northern Viet Nam, damaging homes, infrastructure, and essential services. The Cầu River to exceeded historic flood levels, inundating more than 200,000 homes in Thái Nguyên and disproportionately affecting poor and vulnerable households living along the river. Economic losses were estimated at VND 4,295.6 billion.

The Australian Government responded quickly to Viet Nam’s request for assistance, providing funding for UNDP to implement a project in Thái Nguyên Province, focusing on restoring livelihoods and strengthening community resilience. It prioritised assistance for the most vulnerable groups, including poor and near‑poor households, women, ethnic minorities, children, older persons, people with disabilities, and displaced populations.

On 6 May 2026, the delegation visited Đồng Hỷ Commune, witnessing the handover of an upgraded rural road, groundbreaking to build resilient housing, and support to a local cooperative - highlighting a shared commitment to inclusive, resilient recovery, particularly for women.

Mr. Nông Quang Nhất, Vice Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Committee, stated: “We highly appreciate the cooperation between Viet Nam, the Australian Government, and UNDP in supporting people to respond to and recover from natural disasters. Climate change is causing increasingly serious impacts in many countries, including Viet Nam and Thai Nguyen province. In 2025 alone, natural disasters caused losses of approximately VND 13 trillion in the province. The timely support from the Government, central ministries and agencies, UNDP, and the Embassy of Australia has helped affected communities gradually stabilize their lives and restore their livelihoods.”

Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Viet Nam, Ms Renée Deschamps, said: “Viet Nam is a key partner for Australia in Southeast Asia, and we stand in solidarity with the Vietnamese people in times of crisis. It is deeply moving to be here in Thai Nguyen Province and to see both the impact of Australia’s support and the resilience of the Vietnamese people following last year’s devastating floods.”

In Đồng Hỷ commune, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new home of Ms. Hoàng Thị Liên, one of the most vulnerable beneficiaries, with the participation of the Thai Nguyen Red Cross, project partners, and local authorities.
Ms. Hoàng Thị Liên shared: “Our old house was severely flooded and damaged, leaving us without a safe place to live. The support to build a new home not only helps stabilize our lives but also reduces risks from future disasters.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vũ Thái Trường, Head of Climate Change, Energy and Environment at UNDP Viet Nam, emphasized: “This new house is not just a shelter. It is an investment in climate adaptation - one that reduces future risks and strengthens the family’s resilience to increasingly frequent and intense storms and floods.”

In addition to constructing and repairing 60 damaged houses, the project has also upgraded two rural roads, improving connectivity, ensuring safer travel - especially during the rainy season - and supporting local livelihoods and the movement of goods.

Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tiến, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, noted: “Investing in the rehabilitation and upgrading of rural transport routes not only addresses disaster-related damage, but more importantly restores connectivity, facilitating travel, production, trade, and access to essential services. This is a clear demonstration of the principle of ‘early recovery linked with sustainable development’.”

The project also includes capacity-building for commune-level response teams, provision of rescue equipment, multi-purpose cash assistance, and livelihood recovery initiatives. These efforts support local cooperatives to resume production, contributing to job creation and income stabilization for affected communities. Lessons learned from this visit will help inform future emergency response, recovery, and resilience‑building efforts in Viet Nam.

-ENDS-

Media contacts 
UNDP: Ms Phan Huong Giang; Mobile: +84 948 466 688; Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org

Australian Embassy: Ms Le Trang; Tel: +84 24 3774 0216; Email: Trangle.Nguyen@dfat.gov.au