Inspired by the yellow mud that blanketed villages once the waters receded, the crew set out on a journey through the heart of the flood zone to capture the most authentic moments. Mud clung to walls and roof tiles, seeped into every crack in doorways, coated the few belongings left behind and covered the bare feet of residents searching for what little remained. It also stained the life vests of rescue workers and the caps of volunteer teams. Together, these details paint a heartbreaking yet resilient portrait of central Vietnam.
Through the filmmakers’ lens, small yet deeply moving stories emerge, depicting people’s pain, the community’s compassion, and the human spirit standing firm against disaster. The mud still streaks walls, roof tiles, wooden floors, and surviving objects alike, coating bare feet and rescue uniforms alike, and becoming both a trace of the deluge and proof of the hardships just endured.
Disasters may be unavoidable, but in the most challenging hours, many remained calmand protected themselves, and helped others without hesitation. They were neighbors guiding one another to safety, hotel owners opening their doors to families seeking shelter, rescue teams rowing boats and piloting canoes to deliver supplies and evacuate those cut off, doctors and nurses treating patients while battling the flood, teachers mourning ruined books and classroom tools, and hydrology officers tirelessly searching for better ways to support affected communities.
The flood left more than mud and rubble. It left unspeakable grief and scenes that the crew witnessed firsthand, such as a child racing home from afar only to arrive too late to save his elderly parents and a wife watching her husband being swept away forever. Though these moments play out briefly in the film, their impact is profound, reinforcing its message of humanity and hope.
In the days immediately after the waters retreated, the team reached Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and other locations, documenting devastation while also capturing luminous moments of compassion. Hands clasped together, encouraging smiles, and quiet acts of kindness are portrayed honestly, creating a “map of kindness” amid the raging currents.
Mud Traces is a search for seemingly trivial stories that carry immense emotional weight, where suffering meets solidarity. Even in the murky floodwaters, human kindness remains shines through, bearing witness to the strength and generosity of the people in central Vietnam.
Despite being made under intense time pressure, the film still offers a stark and truthful view of what the region has endured. Every detail, character, and frame offers a glimpse into life at the eye of the storm, where human fragility confronts nature’s ferocity.
Amid the surging waters of the historic flood in mid-November 2025, hands reaching for one another sketched a living “map of compassion”, where every muddy footprint became a symbol of resilience and humanity.
