Hotels in typhoon-hit north offer local people, tourists refuge from floods

On Sept. 9, a few hours after announcing free accommodation for those needing refuge, Thao Nguyen Hotel in Thai Nguyen Province began getting numerous requests for assistance.

By Tuesday afternoon the 30-room hotel was fully occupied with more than 60 people taking shelter.

Single rooms are accommodating three to five people and double rooms, up to seven.

By Tuesday though many parts of Thai Nguyen City remained flooded the waters were slowly receding.

The hotel, situated near the city’s Thien Dan Ward is in an unflooded area and continues to get uninterrupted electricity and water.

But nevertheless it has mobilized a generator and stocked 30 liters of water.

It is also been offering free food to those in need.

Thao Nguyen, its owner, said: "Our staff cook and deliver food directly to the rooms. If we don't have enough staff, we seek help from local volunteer groups to distribute the meals."

A local volunteer (R) distributes free food to people taking refuge from the floods at Thao Nguyen Hotel in Thai Nguyen Province. Photo courtesy of Thao Nguyen

Many people continue to contact her for help.

"It will take three or four more days before people can return home," she said.

In the last two days many Facebook groups have been sharing information about places offering free shelter to affected people.

After it made landfall over the north Saturday, the typhoon caused widespread flooding and landslides, impacting many places, including major tourist destinations.

The disaster has claimed nearly 200 lives, and tens of thousands of houses are damaged or flooded.

In Lao Cai Province, home to Sa Pa, Tran Thuy Nga, CEO of Big Lao Cai Hotel, has also thrown open its doors for people seeking refuge and is offering price cuts for stranded tourists.

"The hotel is located on Hoang Lien Street, the second highest road in Lao Cai Province, so it was not flooded, and electricity and water supply are stable," Nga said.

On Monday the hotel provided three free rooms for people seeking shelter.

But by Tuesday, as the floodwaters gradually receded, only one family remained.

Another 28 rooms are occupied by tourists, 60-70% of whom are Chinese nationals unable to return home as landslides and mudslides have blocked roads and affected transportation.

The hotel is offering a 40% discount to guests who are forced to remain.

September marks the peak tourist season in Lao Cai, with hotels typically operating at 90% capacity, primarily catering to foreign guests.

Hung Vuong Hotel in Sa Pa is offering a 20% discount to stranded tourists.

Vu Van Dao, its owner, said three or four rooms are currently occupied by foreign guests.

A room inside Hung Vuong Hotel in Sa Pa City, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the hotel

Duong Truc Long, owner of Sapa Luxury Hotel & Spa, said he has provided shelter to more than 10 households.

The hotel, which has 72 rooms and can accommodate about 300 people, is open to tourists and residents in need of support.

The hotel regularly updates free room availability on its personal page.

In other flood-affected areas such as Phu Tho and Yen Bai, several hotels are also ready to take in locals and visitors.

Le Khanh Linh, owner of Truong Son Guesthouse on Yen Ninh Street in Yen Bai City, has been offering shelter since Sept. 7 even before the city was flooded and faced the risk of landslides.

The 35-room guesthouse is providing shelter to more than 70 people.

"While the rooms are full, we have three halls that can accommodate more than 50 others, and we are open to anyone in need of shelter," Linh said.