Though without the vibrant flowers adorning the streets and alleys, nor the sweet confections filling every kitchen, the excitement and national pride on Independence Day remain undiminished in the hearts of every Vietnamese citizen. This sacred and eternal spirit continues to shine through the colours of the flag and the clothes worn in the rhythm of today's life.

It is rumored that there is a species of fragrant sweet flag growing from underwater on both sides of the Huong River upstream, which makes the river fragrant. I have heard about this fragrant grass associated with the legend about the name of the Huong River, but I have never seen it with my own eyes.