Rescue 80 people from the fierce flood of the commune police chief
At the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, held this morning, the story of the commune police chief saving dozens of people from the flood center at night caused emotion.
From November 17 to 22, Dien Khanh commune (Khanh Hoa province) experienced extreme rain and floods. Implementing the order of the Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho - Head of Dien Khanh Commune Police directed officers and soldiers on duty according to the 4-on-site plan: on-site forces, on-site vehicles, on-site logistics and on-site people.
On November 17 and 18, Dien Khanh Commune Police supported the evacuation of many households from vulnerable areas.
By the afternoon of November 19, the floodwaters had reached their peak, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho directed 3 working groups to go to vulnerable areas, using small boats and canoes of local people, along with specialized buoys of the police force, to bring about 500 people out of vulnerable areas.
At 8:00 p.m. the same day, the water level rose too quickly, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho contacted the Provincial Police to ask for support for the canoe. At 9:00 p.m., the canoe of the Provincial Police was brought in, but due to floodwaters, it could only reach the location about 2km from the Dien Khanh Commune Police headquarters.
"At that time, I was holding my phone when people called for help so many times, I was so impatient. I am determined to do everything I can to access that canoe to save people as soon as possible," Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho shared.
At 10pm, the area lost power and phone signal. During the dark and flood, Lieutenant Colonel Tho and a comrade from the Traffic Police Department (Khanh Hoa Provincial Police) swam 2km to get a canoe to rescue people.
After that, thanks to the timely support of the 377th Division rescue vehicle passing by, they were able to bring the vehicle to the flood center.
After reaching the area where people were stuck due to floods, they prioritized saving the elderly and children first, and young people were advised to climb to the roofs to ensure safety.
"Since arriving in the area, we have rescued about 8 trips. Normally, canoes can only carry 3 - 4 people, but in urgent situations, we are forced to carry 10 - 11 people/trip.
At the whirlpools, the canoe almost overturned, forcing us to jump down, which was very dangerous because there were many barbed wire fences around. Fortunately, no officers or soldiers were injured.
By the next morning, we had taken 70 - 80 people out of the isolated area affected by floodwaters," Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho recalled.
During the days of storm and flood duty, once passing through the alley of his house, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho was asked by his comrades and teammates to go home to visit his wife and children. Seeing that water level, combined with a house with a stairs and children who can swim, Lieutenant Colonel Tho was assured that he and his comrades and teammates would continue to rescue people.
"We have absorbed Uncle Ho's teachings for the country, for the people's service and most recently, General Secretary To Lam's advice to the police force, that is when the people need it, when the people are in need, there is the police", Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho shared.
From the practical rescue and relief in the recent storm and flood emergency situation, the Head of Dien Khanh Commune Police proposed an initiative to minimize damage when there are similar situations. That is, through the work of grasping the situation, the Commune Police force will grasp how many high-rise houses are in the area, how many families have boats, rafts, how many people know how to swim.
When there is an emergency, local authorities will notify people to move quickly to safe places, minimizing damage.
Also in the exchange, the Commune Police Chief with traditional revolutionary blood expressed a simple but sacred wish.
He hopes to meet Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh - former Vice President, to replace his late father (who directly protected Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh when she attended the Paris Conference) to send wishes for her good health, to fulfill the wish that his father had not yet made.
"In 2014, my father attended the 40th anniversary of the Paris Agreement but has not yet fulfilled his wish to meet Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh again. His wish was to directly wish you good health and a long life through your youth.
Now that he has passed away, I really hope to meet you on this occasion to send my father's greetings and wishes for good health, and fulfill the deceased's wishes," Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Tho emotionally shared.
On the morning of December 27, 2025, the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress was solemnly held at the National Convention Center, Hanoi.
Attending the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress were 2,223 delegates (including 198 invited delegates and 2,025 official delegates) who are individual heroes, representatives of national heroic collectives and emulation fighters, advanced models; overseas Vietnamese, foreigners with meritorious services and contributions to Vietnam... General Secretary To Lam and leaders and former leaders of the Party and State attended.
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