On the weather maps, it’s like something drifting north, just a storm, just a graphic being updated as time goes by. For the residents of Quang Binh, it’s been a disaster.  

And they need to recover...fast. Quang Binh has a heavy reliance on tourism for the local economy there and the recent flooding will take ages to repair. However one way to help is to put out the word... Quang Binh’s legendary caves and other tourism attractions are rapidly getting back on their feet and they need YOU... the tourists and the expats to pump up the place!

Tuoi Tre is doing its part by raising money for the victims and I know of a few entertainment venues in Da Nang that have started some fundraising as well – a big shout out to Da Nang’s Minsk Bar for their effort too!

The important thing at the moment is really about spreading the news that Quang Binh and other affected northern provinces are getting back to business. 

So if you, as a local or foreigner enterprise in the tourism trade, can let tourists know about the fabulous attractions of Quang Binh – such as the massive cave systems, including the world’s largest cave Son Doong, and the stunning scenery of places such as Cha Noi Valley,Yen Phu Lake, and Chuot (Mouse) Cave in Minh Hoa, where parts of the upcoming blockbuster movie KING HONG were filmed – you help the people in a significant way to bounce back from this disaster.

On first appearances, it doesn’t seem as if it was such a big storm – yet the fatal combination of rain and storage water from the dams created havoc. As of the 23^rd of October, at least “21 people [had been] killed by floods in Vietnam's four central provinces … while some 500,000 people [had been displaced] and over 100,000 houses submerged and damaged by the disaster, according to a government report.”

I should point out that other northern areas surrounding Quang Binh and northwards were also badly affected but the heart of the damage is Quang Binh.

If this had happened in Europe, the U.S. or Australia, it would be global news yet Vietnam still doesn’t register on the international stage very much; a shame considering the amazing growth as a nation and player in Southeast Asian affairs.

So it’s up to everyone who cares about local people and the plight of people (regardless of nationality or beliefs) to do what they can. It doesn’t matter how you help – a small donation, a bag of warm clothes or whatever. Everything counts – particularly bringing back the tourism trade quickly.

So help Quang Binh get back on its feet!