Happy Independence Day where the flood passed

Independence Day comes to every home

Muong Xen commune used to be the epicenter of floods. However, today, as the happy National Day approaches, we encounter cozy images that evoke strangely peaceful emotions!

In his small house, the Thai ethnic man La Manh Hung (born in 1993) personally prepares a meal for his family. In the most solemn place on the family wall, a picture of Uncle Ho is present as a reminder of gratitude on the happy day of the country.

After months of struggling with the floods, the moment the whole family gathered together, chatting, raising a glass of wine, became more complete and meaningful than ever. Mr. Hung shared: “Perhaps, after all, the most precious thing is to sit with relatives on Independence Day, the house is clean, the husband, wife and children are healthy. Then the neighbors are all excited in the common joy...”.

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According to the custom of the Thai people here, every National Day, from early morning every family cleans the house, arranges the family altar neatly. Men are busy butchering chickens, cooking sticky rice, while women prepare traditional dishes, children run around, eagerly waiting for the holiday meal.

At noon, people gather around the family meal, raise glasses of strong wine to wish each other a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow.

Lo Thi Ngan - Officer of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Muong Xen commune

In Nhon Mai commune - which suffered heavy damage after the flash flood, joy came to the people when the new suspension bridge was completed right before the National Day. Just a few months ago, the fierce flood on May 29, 2025 swept away the old bridge, causing travel and trade to be cut off for hundreds of households.

Now, the Tan Mai suspension bridge, 46m long and 1.2m wide, firmly connects the two banks. Not only meeting essential travel needs, the project also opens up opportunities for economic development, trade, and connecting Tan Mai village with neighboring villages. On the inauguration day, the first steps of the villagers bustlingly stepped on the new bridge, spreading joy throughout the village after days of struggling to cope with natural disasters.

Even though life is still full of troubles after the flood, the love for National Day is still full in people's hearts. That joy combined with the atmosphere of Independence Day seems to add motivation for people to gradually overcome difficulties, towards a brighter future...

Believe in a bright tomorrow

Looking at the red flags with yellow stars fluttering on the road leading to Hoa Tay hamlet (Tuong Duong commune), it is hard to imagine that this place was once submerged in floodwaters. Now, 168 households have gradually stabilized their lives, each house is bustling with flags, welcoming National Day with joy.

On the new concrete road of Hoa Tay hamlet, groups of young people were enthusiastically sweeping and hanging flags; children were running around with small flags in their hands. The bustling, joyful atmosphere spread throughout every roof and every small alley.

Preparing for the holiday, Mrs. Vang Thi Phong (born in 1964) and her granddaughter carefully hung the national flag in front of the porch. Her thin, calloused hands held the flag tenderly, emotionally sharing: “The flood almost submerged everything, the people of Hoa Tay hamlet thought they would never be able to recover. But today, as you can see, the village is bright and beautiful again, everyone is excited to hang flags, clean the alleys to welcome the great holiday of the country”.

Leaving Mrs. Phong's house, on the concrete road running along the village, everywhere you can see people sweeping the yard and clearing the alley. In the house that has just been neatly arranged, Vi Thi Nam (born in 1987) and her husband hung the national flag on the porch, the chirping of children echoed, making the atmosphere warmer. In Tuong Duong today, the traces of the flood gradually recede, giving way to a peaceful life and faith in a new day.

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Tuong Duong commune has 26 blocks and villages with 4,345 households and 18,479 people. Due to the impact of rain and floods, the circulation of storm No. 3, the commune was flooded on a large scale, many blocks and villages were isolated, divided, and suffered heavy damage; of which 2,210 households were affected.

Immediately after the flood receded, local authorities, functional forces and people joined hands to overcome the consequences, gradually stabilized life and restored production.

Although difficulties still pile up, with the timely attention and support of all levels, together with the spirit of solidarity and will to rise up, people are gradually overcoming difficulties and stabilizing their lives.

Ms. Luong Thi Nhung - Vice Chairman of Tuong Duong Commune People's Committee

In Tam Thai commune, on the Na Tong clean vegetable field, after days of flood water covering the fields, now green is gradually returning to the vegetable beds and chili fields.

Busily rebuilding trellises for bean beds, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen (born in 1985, in Na Tong village, Tam Thai commune) shared: "After the flood receded, for any area that could still be saved, people cleaned up the trash, rebuilt the stilts for the climbing plants, and patched up the broken vegetable beds. For areas that were severely damaged, people renovated the soil, made new beds, and prepared to sow for the next crop with the expectation of supplying clean vegetables for Tet."

The joy of work combined with the joy of Independence Day made the picture of the countryside more bustling. In the red color of the national flag fluttering everywhere, the people in the flood-hit areas were more confident in a tomorrow when difficulties were gradually pushed back.