By 
Baset Alhasan, February 11th, 2023
In the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake on March 28th, 2025 Vietnam has supported Myanmar’s relief efforts. The VPA’s mission began on March 31st under the leadership of Major General Pham Van Ty.
On March 28th, 2025 a calamitous earthquake in Myanmar reached heights of 7.7 magnitude and was felt as far as Southern China, Vietnam, and Bangkok. Its consequences were disastrous, totalling more than 3000 deaths, 4,700 wounded, and many missing as per government estimates. A thousand buildings were destroyed, including public infrastructures such as bridges, hospitals, and health centres.
Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis worsened in the face of the disaster, with more than 19.9 million individuals in need of urgent care and basic necessities, ranking the country third on the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Emergency Watchlist. As an on-the-ground IRC staff member stated, “Hospitals are overwhelmed with trauma cases, and many hospital buildings are unusable. Patients are being treated on beds placed outside due to fears of buildings collapsing” (IRC, 2025).
Twenty hours after the earthquake, an 80-member team was formed to provide relief and support to Myanmar, led by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) General Staff’s Search and Rescue Department. He expressed his deepest condolences and commitment to the mission as Chief commander of the VPA team. On Monday, March 31st, 2025 the mission began in close collaboration with local authorities on the search and rescue operations.
In its dedication to supporting relief efforts in the catastrophe’s aftermath, Vietnam underlines its long-standing friendship with Myanmar and stresses its role as a reliable and responsible member of the international community.
Sources and Further Readings:
International Rescue Committee. (2025, March 31). Myanmar earthquake: What’s happening and how to help? International Rescue Committee. https://www.rescue.org/article/myanmar-earthquake-whats-happening-and-how-help.
Nhân Dân. (2025, March 30). Defence ministry assigns tasks to Myanmar earthquake relief team. Nhân Dân. https://en.nhandan.vn/defence-ministry-assigns-tasks-to-myanmar-earthquake-relief-team-post145938.html.
Rising, D. (2025, April 3). Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 3,145 as more bodies found. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-thailand-earthquake-71d51dfc7339e017b1d116c105effab4.
The New York Times. (2025, March 28). An Earthquake and its Aftermath. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/world/asia/myanmar-thailand-earthquake-photos.html.
Viêt Nam News. (2025, March 31). Myanmar thanks Việt Nam for swift earthquake relief efforts. Viêt Nam News. https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/1694890/myanmar-thanks-viet-nam-for-swift-earthquake-relief-efforts.html.
Vietnam+. (2025a, March 31). Vietnamese rescuers to operate in hardest-hit area by earthquake in Myanmar. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnamese-rescuers-to-operate-in-hardest-hit-area-by-earthquake-in-myanmar-post312524.vnp.
Vietnam+. (2025b, April 3). Vietnam works with Myanmar on further earthquake rescue operations. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-works-with-myanmar-on-further-earthquake-rescue-operations-post312812.vnp.
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