The Hanoi People's Committee plan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Capital's Liberation Day [October 10, 1954-2024] and promote Hanoi as a city of beauty with friendly and hospitable people, a wide range of activities will also be held to review the heroic historical traditions of the army and people of Hanoi, reaffirm the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh as well as praise his career of fighting for independence, freedom of the nation.

A red flag flutters against the blue sky atop Hanoi's historic Flag Tower. Photo: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

The commemorative activities would showcase the cultural values and historical relics of the capital and promote tourism.

To this end, a research competition on "70 Years of Capital Liberation Day", the 7th Press Award Ceremony on Cultural Development and Cultivation of Elegant Hanoians in 2024, the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest, the publication of a bilingual photo book "Hanoi on the Road to Development" in Vietnamese and English, a film week, and a competition for literary and artistic works and songs on Hanoi and Capital Liberation Day and the Red River Delta Artistic Photo Festival will be held.

Also on the agenda are the Hanoi International Marathon 2024, the Hanoi Open Dragon Boat Swimming Tournament, the Cultural and Sports Festival for the Elderly for the Construction and Development of the Capital, and the International Youth Festival 2024.

The city's annual events such as Hanoi Autumn Festival 2024, International Handicraft Fair and Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2024 will be held, but on a larger scale than usual.

Historical sites associated with the capital's liberation day, such as Hanoi Flag Tower - where the historic flag-raising ceremony was held on October 10, 1954; Hanoi Opera House - where the entire city was called to the flag-raising ceremony; Hoang Thanh Thang Long (Ancient Citadel), the assembly point of the People's Army of Vietnam troops before they marched into the city on October 10, 1954; Hanoi Railway Station, Dong Xuan Market, and others will be glorified this time.

Ceremonies will be held to honor "Excellent Valedictorians Graduating from Hanoi Universities and Academies", award the Ho Chi Minh Medal for exemplifying "Good People, Good Deeds", and honor "Outstanding Capital Citizens" in 2024.

Under the plan, Hanoi's skies will light up on October 10 with simultaneous fireworks displays at 30 venues across the capital, including five aerial pyrotechnics venues at Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park, Lac Long Quan Flower Garden (Tay Ho District), Van Quan Lake and My Dinh National Stadium.

Twenty-five ground fireworks displays will be set up in the city's inner and outer districts. The 15-minute display begins at 9:00 p.m. on October 10.