According to the terms of the Agreement, Hanoi was included in the 80-day troop withdrawal zone for the French army. However, the French colonialists took advantage of this time to sabotage economic and cultural facilities, entice migrants to the South, cause unrest, and bring all work to a standstill. Aware of the French plot and clearly understanding the scale and importance of taking over Hanoi, the Politburo and the Central Secretariat of the Party appointed comrades Vo Nguyen Giap, Le Van Luong, Xuan Thuy, and To Huu to directly lead and supervise the takeover of the capital.
On the morning of October 10, 1954, the City Military and Political Committee and various army units, divided into several large contingents, launched a historic march into Hanoi. More than 400,000 people of the capital city, amidst a sea of flags and flowers, excitedly welcomed the victorious army returning home with overwhelming joy.
At 3 PM that same day, the people and soldiers of Hanoi, on behalf of the entire nation, held a flag-raising ceremony and listened to a letter from President Ho Chi Minh:“For the past eight years, the Government had to leave the capital to wage the war of national liberation. Though separated, the Government's heart remained close to the people. Today, thanks to the unity and solidarity of our army and people, and the heroic fighting of our troops, the resistance has been victorious. The Government has returned to the capital to be with the people. Though separated by vast distances, we are one family; our joy is immeasurable…”"
The takeover of the capital was a resounding success. We safely and swiftly acquired 129 public offices, factories, hospitals, and schools, including military positions and important headquarters such as the Hanoi Citadel, Thuy Fortress, Bach Mai Airport, Gia Lam Airport, the Governor-General's Palace, the North Vietnamese Chief Minister's Palace, and the Federal Secret Police headquarters. People's lives remained normal and stable. Electricity, water, and transportation services operated smoothly and efficiently; political security and social order were well maintained; schools, hospitals, cultural institutions, and the press continued to operate normally under government management.
Since King Ly Thai To issued the "Decree on Relocating the Capital" in 1010, Thang Long - Hanoi has gone through glorious historical periods. In that process, October 10, 1954 marked the glorious victory of the Vietnamese people in the protracted resistance war against French colonial aggression, opening a new era of development for the capital and the country.
October 10th, the Liberation Day of Hanoi, marks a crucial turning point, affirming the complete victory of our army and people in the resistance war against French colonial aggression, and simultaneously ushering in a new era in the thousand-year history of Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi.
Immediately after taking over the capital, the Hanoi Party Committee and government led the people in the task of restoring and developing the economy, culture, and society; overcoming the consequences of the colonial regime, restoring war-damaged infrastructure, stabilizing the situation, gradually overcoming difficulties, reorganizing production, and ensuring the people's livelihood.
With its outstanding achievements and immense contributions over the past 70 years, Hanoi has been honored by the Party and State with many prestigious awards: 3 Gold Star Orders, the Ho Chi Minh Order, the First-Class Independence Order, and the titles: "Heroic Capital," "Hero of the People's Armed Forces." Hanoi is proud to be the only city in the Asia-Pacific region to be awarded the title "City for Peace" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the first capital city in Southeast Asia to be inscribed by UNESCO to participate in the global "Creative Cities Network" in 2019; praised by friends around the world and honored by UNESCO as a "City for Peace"; and awarded the Gold Star Order and the title "Heroic Capital" three times by the State.
On the morning of October 10, 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the city of Hanoi solemnly organized the national-level commemoration ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital City.
Delegates attended the solemn ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi, held at the Center. National Conference, Hanoi City.
Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, Comrade Nguyen Thu, a veteran from Hai Ba Trung district and former officer of Regiment 102 - the Capital Regiment, Division 308 - the Vanguard Army Division, emotionally shared: “We soldiers were assigned the task of taking over our beloved capital. Everyone was excited and deeply moved. On the way back, Division 308 held a victory celebration at Trai Co area, Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province. People from the free zones and enemy-occupied areas of Bac Ninh, Hanoi, and Phuc Yen enthusiastically came out to welcome the victorious army.”
At that time, each of us soldiers was presented with a "Dien Bien Phu Victory Badge" by President Ho Chi Minh. It was a true honor and a source of immense pride. We all cherished and treasured the badge, pinning it to our left chests, near our hearts, considering it a priceless memento to be preserved for life and passed down to future generations.
"...To have this joy today, we are immensely grateful to the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, grateful to the great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap - the brilliant Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army, and millions of compatriots and soldiers who sacrificed their lives and blood for the independence of the Fatherland, creating a heroic Hanoi, a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam."
In the new context, continuing to promote industrialization, modernization, and deep international integration with many challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Hanoi needs to continue focusing on socio-economic development, mobilizing and developing new resources and drivers of development, especially human resources and cultural resources; paying more attention to the task of developing culture and society in harmony with and on par with economic development; continuing to consolidate and strengthen national defense, security, and foreign relations potential; maintaining political stability, social order, and safety; improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration; doing a better job of building and rectifying the Party and the political system to be truly clean and strong...; striving to make Hanoi a "Cultural - Civilized - Modern" city by 2030, a place where the cultural essence of the whole country and the world converges; a leading center in research, creation, application, and transfer of new science and technology; It is a central hub and driving force for the development of the Red River Delta region, a key economic zone of Northern Vietnam and the entire country; a major economic and financial center, a growth pole playing a leading role in the national economy, with regional influence, based on a green development model and circular economy, digital economy and sharing economy; truly a major, exemplary, and leading center in the country for high-quality education and training, on par with regional and international standards.
Joining in the jubilant atmosphere of Hanoi's people celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024), this is an opportunity for us to look back on a glorious historical journey, a period of growth and development, to feel even more proud and responsible for Hanoi; to join hands and contribute to helping the Capital overcome all difficulties and challenges, successfully implement Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW dated May 5, 2022 of the Politburo on the direction of development of Hanoi Capital until 2030, with a vision to 2045; and together with the country, to steadily advance on the path of innovation, integration and development, continuing to achieve new accomplishments, even more worthy of the trust of the Party, the State and the people of the whole country placed in the Capital, so that Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi is worthy of being the Heroic Capital of the Heroic Vietnamese Nation.
A vivid reenactment of the army marching towards Hanoi on the historic moment of October 10, 1954, was presented at the Cultural Festival for Peace held on October 6, 2024 (Photo: Viet Thanh).
Author:Compiled by Hanh Quynh - USSH Media
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