Vietnam receives $10M international aid after devastating storms

By Gia Chinh October 28, 2025 | 05:00 am PT

Relief supplies from the AHA Center are delivered to disaster-affected residents in Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam, October 2025. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority

Over 30 embassies and international organizations have pledged nearly US$10 million to help Vietnam rebuild after devastating typhoons Bualoi and Matmo.

At a ceremony in Hanoi on Oct. 28, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said foreign partners had contributed $7.2 million in cash and $2.5 million worth of relief items.

Australia provided A$3 million ($2 million), South Korea $1 million, the U.S. $500,000, Ireland €250,000 ($291,000), the U.K. £500,000 (, the European Union €650,000 ($665,000), Catholic Relief Services $300,000, and Samaritan’s Purse $453,000.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, speaking on behalf of the Vietnamese people, thanked the international community for its timely assistance. He said all humanitarian goods: food, medical supplies, water filters, sanitation equipment, blankets and clothing, had reached affected areas to address urgent needs.

"Of the $7.1 million in cash aid, some has already been distributed, and the rest is being processed. By November, we aim to deliver support to about 34,500 households, with each receiving between VND2 million and VND5 million ($76-190)," Hiep said.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis shared findings from the UN’s rapid assessment team, noting that recovery efforts will take place in two phases. The first three months will focus on emergency relief to stabilize livelihoods, followed by a six-month recovery phase prioritizing clean water, sanitation, housing and livelihood restoration.

Diplomats and representatives of aid organizations pledged to continue working closely with the Vietnamese government to strengthen disaster prevention and response.

As of Oct. 9 when the ministry issued the appeal for international support, Vietnam has endured 20 types of natural disasters this year, including 11 storms, six of which struck the mainland, and four tropical depressions, leaving 238 dead and nearly 400 injured.

Hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed, crops washed away, and transport routes severed by landslides. Schools, clinics and public offices have suffered extensive damage. The total economic loss is estimated at VND35 trillion ($1.3 billion), equal to 0.2% of Vietnam’s GDP, about half the losses recorded in 2024.

In the weeks since the appeal, the country has faced another storm and tropical depression, and widespread flooding, with damage assessments still underway.