The floodwaters recede, but human compassion remains.

In recent times, numerous northern provinces such as Bac Ninh, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, and Lang Son have struggled under heavy rains and severe flooding triggered by Typhoon No. 11 (Matmo). The deluge and rising floodwaters have submerged vast areas, isolating communities and causing significant casualties and property damage.

Specifically in Thai Nguyen, prolonged downpours resulting from the storm's circulation caused historic flooding. Across the province, 54 communes and wards were inundated, while numerous other localities suffered from landslides, power outages, and water shortages. Approximately 200,000 households were impacted, with 3,464 forced to evacuate urgently; total damages are estimated at over 12,600 billion VND.

Thai Nguyen suffered over 12,600 billion VND in damages due to the circulation of Typhoon No. 11.

Nevertheless, amid the encroaching floodwaters, acts of human compassion have illuminated vividly. From all corners of the country, volunteer convoys and calls for sharing have flowed toward the flood zones. Some contributed wealth, others labor, some sent small portions of their salaries... all sharing a single sentiment: No one is left behind.

With that spirit, a business in Thai Nguyen chose a unique method of relief—using their own trade: elevators. Elevator Magazine conducted a short interview with Mr. Bui Manh Cuong – Deputy Director of Tan Lap Mechanical Elevator Company (BMCE Elevator), to hear more about this special rescue journey.

Reporter: Thai Nguyen has just experienced a historic flood. Could you share a bit about the actual situation on the ground, particularly issues related to elevator safety following the floods?

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong: The recent flooding in Thai Nguyen was truly unprecedented in recent decades. Rising waters deeply inundated many central areas and residential zones, severely damaging infrastructure, housing, and electrical equipment.

Approximately 500 elevators in the province were flooded, with many cases where the cabins were completely submerged and heavily damaged. Among these, BMCE provided support and rescue for about 250 elevators for the people of Thai Nguyen.

Before the rains came, we constantly updated news and issued elevator safety recommendations, guiding residents on response measures to prevent short circuits, cabin entrapment, etc., ensuring safety for both customers and equipment.

Witnessing the hardships of the people, immediately after the waters receded, BMCE’s technical team planned and implemented free elevator rescue operations to ensure user safety.

Thai Nguyen, battered after the historic flood.

Reporter: What motivated you and BMCE to launch a free elevator rescue program for the entire province?

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong: At that time, witnessing people struggling to clean up after the flood, we simply thought, "We can help." I believe that while others do charity work, providing relief through our own profession is also very effective and practical.

Working in the elevator industry, we understand well that elevators submerged for a long time without treatment will suffer heavy damage and incur high repair costs. We simply thought that free rescue and inspection is not just an act of sharing, but also our professional responsibility to the community.

Implementing the free elevator rescue program for the people of Thai Nguyen is also our way of conveying the heart of the craftsman—using our trade to help life. We believe that when an elevator operates safely again, a part of the residents' peaceful life is also restored.

One of approximately 250 elevator sites supported by BMCE's technical team.

Reporter: When directly participating in the rescue, did the technical team encounter any difficulties or memorable special situations?

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong: Truly, there were many. Many areas were still deeply flooded, roads were slippery, power was out... There were days when the company's technical staff had to wade through water until late at night, working until 1-2 AM to timely rescue critical facilities like apartment buildings and hospitals.

It was difficult, but no one was discouraged. Every member understood that each timely rescued elevator meant one more safe facility for the people. Especially in buildings like apartments or hospitals, behind those elevator doors are the lives of countless families, patients waiting for transport, and children and the elderly needing to return to their daily rhythms.

We clearly felt the meaning of the work we were doing—not just technical repair, but helping the community overcome difficulties after natural disasters and storms.

Reporter: Surely, after each elevator is processed and returns to operation, BMCE technicians have their own unique emotions?

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong: It is in the moment the elevator operates again, when the lights turn on after days of darkness—that is the moment when every BMCE technician feels that all the hard work was worth it.

We felt both proud and choked with emotion. Proud because the BMCE technical team worked tirelessly through many days and nights amidst extremely harsh conditions. And moved—because everywhere we went, we felt the spirit of solidarity and sharing spreading: from investors and partners to local residents, everyone united to help, encourage, and support us to complete the work.

For us, this was not merely a free elevator rescue campaign, but a journey of human compassion, helping elevator mechanics like us realize the great significance of the profession we pursue.

Reporter: What message would you like to send to the community and those working in the elevator industry after this experience?

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong: The first thing I want to say is a thank you to all the technical staff, partners, and customers who accompanied BMCE during those recent difficult days. It was everyone's spirit of unity and dedication that helped us complete that mission.

I hope that those in the elevator profession, wherever they are, will always uphold the spirit of "safety – responsibility – compassion," so that every project, every elevator is a symbol of safety and trust. And to the community, please always believe that—whether in storms or the most difficult moments—there are people silently standing behind, ready to reach out and help for a safer and more compassionate society.

Reporter: As the conversation closed, outside, the lives of Thai Nguyen people were gradually stabilizing. The floodwaters that once surged through the streets have left behind streaks of mud, but one thing remains intact—human kindness.

In the journey of "rescuing elevators amidst floodwaters," the workers of BMCE or many other elevator businesses are not just fixing electrical systems or replacing circuit boards; they are "repairing" trust and awakening the spirit of sharing and social responsibility of the practitioner.

The floods have passed, leaving loss behind. But it is precisely after those losses that we see the most precious thing—the compassion of the Vietnamese people, always shining in the most arduous times.

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Vietnam Elevator Expo 2025

From December 4 – 6, 2025, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Elevator Expo 2025 officially returns. It promises to be the largest event in the Vietnamese elevator industry of the year, uniquely organized by the Vietnam Elevator Association in coordination with VINEXAD (Ministry of Industry and Trade).

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