During scorching May days, crape myrtle trees in Hanoi bloom with panicles of purple flowers.

Many streets such as Kim Ma, Hoang Quoc Viet, Nguyen Thai Hoc and the like are covered by flowers of purple in every shade, partly assuaging the hot weather in the capital city.

Purple crape myrtle blossoms are closely linked to schooldays. The trees begin to blossom in summer, when students leave their schools, teachers and classmates for a vacation or graduation. The blossoming season therefore is a signal of farewell bidding time.
 

By Tran Thanh Giang