Principal goes viral after swimming through flooded school to inspect damage

Hoang Van Viet, principal of Quang Vinh Primary School in Quang Vinh Commune, was seen navigating the submerged school grounds in an image shared online.

Viet explained that he and his son traveled 40 km from their home to the school on Aug. 24, and his son took the photo. Continuous rainfall had inundated multiple areas in Cao Bang, with Quang Vinh Commune recording 145.2 mm of rain on Aug. 23, among the highest levels in the province. Concerned about the school's infrastructure, Viet felt compelled to take action.

"I thought simply that if the school got flooded, it is my duty to manage and protect it. To me, my school is my home," he said.

Upon arrival, he found water levels had risen about 1.5 m. Undeterred, he swam into the building, checking each classroom before making his way to the second floor for further inspection.

"I could only watch; it was a natural disaster, so there was nothing I could do," he said.

By Aug. 26, water levels had exceeded 3 m, submerging about 1.5 tons of rice intended for students' lunches. The school, which has 116 students, primarily from the H’Mong and Nung ethnic minorities, had resumed classes after the summer break on Aug. 21, but was forced to send students home due to the flooding. About 90% of the students are from poor families and benefit from government support policies.

With just a week left before the official start of the new school year on Sept. 5, Viet expressed his frustration. Classroom furniture has been waterlogged for days, and a cleanup effort is planned once the water recedes.

Viet's biggest concern is the spoiled rice. "The rice is all wet now. I don't know what to do next," he said.