Since October 28, dozens of residents from Hàm Rồng village and neighboring areas in Ia Băng commune have gathered at the home of local trader Trần Thị Hằng to prepare more than 600 bánh tét and other essential supplies, including instant noodles, rice, and vegetables. The items will be transported to flood-affected areas in Huế province on October 30.
The initiative, launched by Ms. Hằng after she saw news reports about the floods, quickly gained widespread support. “Everyone contributed, some brought sticky rice, others donated money, banana leaves, or firewood. We stayed up all night to make sure everything was ready,” she said.
Each bánh tét symbolizes solidarity and compassion. “We wrap each cake with all our heart, hoping to bring warmth and strength to those struggling in the flood zones,” said Lê Thị Thanh Huyền, one of the volunteers.
Another resident, Cao Thị Hiến, helped coordinate community members, lending her family’s cooking pots and joining the overnight effort. “Whenever disasters strike, we gather to make bánh tét and send relief goods. We’ve done this since 2020, including for families in Nghệ An and Thái Nguyên,” she said.
Volunteers said bánh tét was chosen because it is easy to preserve, lasts several days, and can be eaten without further preparation, making it an ideal relief food for those enduring difficult living conditions after floods.
The Gia Lai community also raised additional funds, estimated at several million đồng (around US$100-200), to purchase transport fuel and extra supplies. Ms. Hằng said the group’s convoy will deliver the cakes directly to affected households and offer words of encouragement.
“We just hope there will be no more storms and no more suffering for our people,” she added.