Nga — Flood in Hoi An
Nga — Flood in Hoi An
Nga holds her daughter Thảo, 6, on her balcony during the October 2020 flooding in Hoi An, Vietnam.
As I waded in the chest-deep water they looked down from the balcony smiling and watching the boats go by.
“This ladder is used as a tool for us to climb down to the boat. It is tied to the balcony.”
“If we want to go and buy some food, we have to get a boat. Because the water sometimes rises so quickly and we don’t have time to buy food. Rain, flood, and no power. I bought an alcohol stove and make instant noodles to cook for my kids.”
“This is my uncle’s house. My house, on An Hoi island, it was flooded and the water level was over our heads, so we moved here.”
Trinh: Your voice is so sweet. Are you from the North?
Nga: I am originally from Ha Nam (North Vietnam) and now I am selling Banh Cuon (rice noodle rolls) in Hoi An. We moved here about 2 years ago.
Trinh: Why did you move here?
Nga: The weather is nice. Life is relaxing. The locals are friendly and loving. We came to visit once and decided to stay.
Trinh: How do you feel during your first experience of floods in Hoi An?
Nga: In general, I can see that people have to deal with a lot of difficulties. Standing in my house, I saw their belongings floating everywhere. But the locals are used to living with the flood.
“If you stay here, you should learn how to swim.”
