According to the terms of the Agreement, Hanoi was located in the 80-day assembly area of the French army. However, the French colonialists took advantage of this time to sabotage economic and cultural facilities, lure migrants to the South, cause chaos and bring all work to a standstill. Knowing in advance the French plot, fully aware of the scale and importance of taking over Hanoi, the Politburo and the Central Party Secretariat assigned comrades Vo Nguyen Giap, Le Van Luong, Xuan Thuy, and To Huu to directly lead and direct the work of taking over the capital.
On the morning of October 10, 1954, the City Military Commission and military units divided into many large groups to launch a historic march into Hanoi. More than 400,000 people in the capital were excited in the forest of flags and flowers, with extreme joy welcoming the victorious army back.
At 3:00 p.m. the same day, the army and people of Hanoi, on behalf of the people of the whole country, held a flag-saluting ceremony and listened to President Ho Chi Minh's letter:“For the past eight years, the Government has had to leave the Capital to fight for national salvation. Although we are far apart, the Government is always close to the people. Today, thanks to the unity of our army and people, our army fought bravely and the resistance was victorious. The Government has returned to the Capital with the people. Thousands of miles away, one home, the joy is indescribable…”.
The takeover of the Capital was a great success. We safely and quickly took over 129 offices, public works, factories, hospitals, schools, including military positions and important headquarters such as Hanoi Citadel, Water Station, Bach Mai airport, Gia Lam airport, Governor's Palace, North Vietnam Prime Minister's Palace, Federal Secret Service. People's lives remained normal and stable. Electricity, water, transportation and communications operated smoothly and regularly, political security and social order were well guaranteed; schools, hospitals, cultural agencies, press agencies, etc. continued to operate normally under the management of the government.
Since King Ly Thai To issued the “Edict on the Transfer of the Capital” in 1010, Thang Long - Hanoi has gone through glorious historical stages. In that process, October 10, 1954 marked the glorious victory of the Vietnamese people in the long-term resistance war against the French colonialists, opening a new period of development for the Capital and the country.
The Liberation Day of the Capital, October 10, is an event that marks an important turning point, affirming the complete victory of our army and people in the resistance war against the French colonialists, and at the same time opening a new period 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 to start the work of restoring and developing the economy, culture and society; overcoming the consequences left by the colonial regime, restoring facilities destroyed by war, stabilizing the situation, gradually overcoming difficulties, reorganizing production, and ensuring people's lives.
With its outstanding achievements and great contributions over the past 70 years, Hanoi has been honored to receive many noble awards from the Party and State: 3 Gold Star Orders, Ho Chi Minh Order, 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 Asia - Pacific to be awarded the title "City for Peace" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); The first capital of Southeast Asia to be recognized by UNESCO to participate in the global "Creative Cities Network" in 2019. Praised by international friends and honored by UNESCO as "City for Peace"; 3 times awarded the Gold Star Order by the State, awarded the title "Heroic Capital".
On the morning of October 10, 2024, the Central Executive 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 Hanoi City solemnly held the National Celebration Ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital.
Delegates attended the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital solemnly held at the Center. National Conference, Hanoi City.
Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of historical witnesses, comrade Nguyen Thu, a veteran of Hai Ba Trung district, former officer of Regiment 102 - Capital Regiment, Division 308 - Vanguard Army Division, emotionally shared: “We soldiers were assigned the task of taking over the beloved Capital. Everyone was excited and moved. On the way back, Division 308 held a celebration ceremony at Trai Co area, Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province. People from the liberated areas, temporarily occupied areas of Bac Ninh, Hanoi, Phuc Yen eagerly poured out to welcome the victorious army.
At that time, each of us soldiers was awarded a "Dien Bien Phu Victory Badge" by President Ho Chi Minh. It was truly an honor and a great pride. We all cherished and respectfully pinned that badge on our left chest, near our hearts, considering it a priceless keepsake, to preserve for life and pass on to future generations.
... To have the joy of today, we are extremely grateful to the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, to the great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap - the talented Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army and millions of compatriots and soldiers who sacrificed their 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 to focus on socio-economic development, mobilizing and promoting new resources and development drivers, especially human resources and cultural resources; paying more attention to the task of developing culture and society in harmony and on par with economic development; continuing to consolidate and enhance national defense, security and foreign affairs potential; maintaining political stability, social order and safety; improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration; doing better in building and rectifying the Party and a truly clean and strong political system...; striving by 2030, Hanoi will be a "Cultured - Civilized - Modern" city, where the cultural quintessence of the whole country and the world converges; a leading center in research, innovation, application and transfer of new science and technology; center, driving force for the development of the Red River Delta, the key economic region of the North and the whole country; a large financial economic center, a growth pole that plays a leading role in the country's economy, has influence in the region, based on the green development model and circular economy, digital economy and sharing economy; truly a large, typical, leading center in the country in high-quality education and training, on par with the region and the world.
Joining in the jubilant atmosphere of Hanoi people celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024), this is an opportunity for us to look back on a glorious historical journey, steps of growth and development to be more proud and responsible for Hanoi; join hands and contribute to help 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 the Capital Hanoi to 2030, with a vision to 2045; together with the country firmly on the path of innovation, integration and development, continue to achieve new achievements, more worthy of the trust of the Party, the State and the people of the whole country for 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 image of the army marching to Hanoi at the historic moment of October 10, 1954 at the Culture for Peace Festival held on October 6, 2024 (Photo: Viet Thanh)
Author:Hanh Quynh - USSH Media synthesis
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