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Insights into Hanoi Liberation Day, October 10, 1954

“Five city gates welcome the return of soldiers/ As a blooming flower with five scarlet petals/… What beloved streets of Hanoi!” This is a lyric of the beautiful song “Returning to Hanoi” written as a triumph song by musician Van Cao in 1949. However, it took six years latter of arduous and brave resistance to make the dream of “returning” come true.

Along with the victory of Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Geneva Agreements on armistice in Indochina was signed. After many days of struggling in the Geneva Conference, agreements on transfering Hanoi to the Vietnamese people were finally signed on September 30^th and October 2^nd 1954 in the United Armistice Center Committee.

Following the Resolution on September 17^th 1954 of the Government Council, the City Troops Committee of Hanoi was established with General Vuong Thua Vu, the commander of the Pioneer Division, as the Chairman and doctor Tran Duy Hung as the Vice Chairman. The City Troops Committee of Hanoi had the task of taking over and managing the city. The Military Commanders ordered the Vietnamese soldier units to take over the city of Hanoi and abide by the policies and discipline of the Government. The Pioneer Division took over Hanoi. On October 9^th, the soldiers entered the center of the city from five city gates to take over the Station, the Residency, the Naval Station, Hoan Kiem Lake area, the Governor Mansion, ect. At 4.00 pm of the day, soldiers of the French Unions left the city, went to the North of Long Bien bridge. At 4.30 pm, the Vietnamese soldiers kept the city under their control safely. Welcome gates, banners were set on many streets and the flags with yellow star (the flag of Vietnam) waved on buildings.

Early in the morning on October 10^th, residents of the capital wore classy clothes, bringing flags and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh and standing in queues, divided into groups such as offices, factories, schools and residences, ect. They went to streets where were announced that the Vietnamese soldiers would come over to welcome them. At 8.00 am, from the West of Hanoi, soldiers of the Capital Regiment, leading the infantry, went on a parade across Kim Ma street, Hang Day street, Cua Nam street, Hang Bong street, Hang Dao street, Hang Ngang street to Hanoi citadel. From the South, the infantry started at Vietnam Campus, went to Bach Mai street, Hue street, Trang Tien street, Naval Station and Dau Xao area. Following the infantry, a group of vehicles and artillery, led by General Vuong Thua Vu – the major commander of Hanoi front, started at Bach Mai street, Hue street, Hoan Kiem lake, Hang Dao street, Hang Ngang street, Dong Xuan market, heading to Cua Bac (the North Gate).

In the afternoon of October 10^th, all residents of the city focused on the Flag ceremony held by the City Troops Committee. After that, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Vuong Thua Vu, read The Call of President Ho Chi Minh to all residents of the capital in the Liberation Day.

Valuable photos of the memorable day

(Photo: VOV)

French troops departed Hanoi, heading to Long Bien bridge on October 9, 1954.

(Photo: VOV)

At the same time, Vietnamese liberation forces entered the capital via Long Bien bridge on October 9, 1954.

(Photo: VOV)

Long lines of military forces marched into the capital on October 10, 1954 morning to commemorate their victory. That day was Hanoi's first liberation day.

(Photo: VOV)

Hanoi Opera House was filled with a celebrative and cheerful vibe on that day.

(Photo: VOV)

The first flag salute ceremony was held at the Cot Co stadium at 3 p.m. on October 10, 1954.

(Photo: VOV)

(Photo: VOV)

Major General Vuong Thua Vu was present on the podium during the first flag salute ceremony held to celebrate Hanoi’s victory on October 10, 1954.

(Photo: VNA)

Roughly 200,000 residents bearing flags and flowers took to the street to greet liberation forces. The photo was the jubilant scenes on Hang Gai street.

(Photo: VOV)

(Photo: VOV)

Thousands of Hanoians poured into the streets to greet the arrival of the victorious military forces. In the photo was the scene on Hang Dao street.

(Photo: VOV)

The arrival of the troops filled local people with joy.

(Photo: VNA)

Children could also be spotted on the capital’s streets welcoming the troops.

(Photo: VOV)

Local girls wore Ao Dai, the traditional Vietnamese long dress, to celebrate the historical event

(Photo: VNA)

October 10, 1954, went down in Vietnam’s history as the Liberation Day of Hanoi capital.

(Photo: VOV)

(Photo: VOV)

Following Hanoi Liberation Day, life returns to normal with local cinemas packed with film-lovers.

(Photo: VOV)

Dong Xuan market was bustling once again.

(Photo: VOV)

School reopened, marking the returning to normalcy.

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