The struggle of the army and people of Hanoi against French colonialism from the late 19th century to 1954 is reflected in the online exhibition Dear Citizens of the Capital!.

Co-organized by the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, the exhibition presents archival documents and illustrative images, many of which are being shown for the first time, in particular many revolutionary leaflets collected by the French regime's police in Hanoi.

Members of organizing board kick off the exhibition. Photo: Dinh Trung/The Hanoi Times

The documents and images are showcased in 3D space from the Hanoi Citadel to Dong Xuan Market, through the Old Quarter and Hanoi Opera Square to the Tonkin Palace (now the Government Guest House, 12 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi). Each space corresponds to a thematic area of the exhibition, offering the public an opportunity to experience and explore in an interesting and useful way.

The exhibition is divided into three thematic areas. The first, entitled "Hanoi in Flames, Smoke and Fire Filling the Sky", presents documents and images from the early stages of the French colonial invasion of Hanoi.

The second, entitled "Hanoi Stands Up", present documents and images of the revolutionary struggles in Hanoi from 1930 to 1954.

The third, named "Hanoi on Victory Day", displays documents and images from the day of liberation. The image of the red flag with a yellow star flying from the Hanoi flagstaff, signifying the end of our country's nine-year resistance struggle, vividly recalls the events of Liberation Day on  October 10, 1954.

According to Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, the theme of the exhibition is a well-known saying that has become a vivid symbol of the spirit of solidarity and indomitable will during the war of resistance against the French in Hanoi. It echoes through each historical period, from the early days of the arduous resistance against the French, through the climax of the August Revolution, the nine-year war of resistance full of sacrifice, to the glorious moment of the liberation of the capital.

"The exhibition aims to make people from all walks of life, especially the young generation, aware of the historical significance and tradition of our nation's steadfast and indomitable revolutionary struggle on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital (October 10, 1954-2024).

He hopes that the online exhibition will help viewers experience Hanoi during the war of resistance against the French anytime, anywhere. It is hoped that the exhibition will have a good impact, be educational, and spread widely among the public, especially the younger generation. From there, they will have the opportunity to learn about history from a realistic perspective through archival documents.

Vietnamese soldiers march into the capital on 10 October 1954. File Photo

Dear citizens of the capital! is a call to arms during the war of resistance against the French in Hanoi. During almost a century under the yoke of French colonialism, and especially since the advent of the Communist Party of Vietnam, many popular struggles took place with great vigor, laying the groundwork for the subsequent uprisings.

 The August 1945 General Uprising in the form of demonstrations by 200,000 people inside and outside Hanoi won a glorious victory. From here, the government in Hanoi fell into the hands of the Viet Minh. Hanoi revived to welcome National Day (September 2, 1945).

When the French colonialists invaded our country again in late 1946, the smoke of war hung over the streets of Hanoi. Responding to President Ho Chi Minh's call for national resistance, the people and troops of Hanoi fought with determination, ready to give their all for the capital they loved.

After nine years of fierce resistance, the people of the capital happily welcomed the victorious army marching to liberate Hanoi. The red flag with a yellow star fluttered from Hanoi's flagpole, marking the end of a journey full of hardship and sacrifice, but also heroic and glorious.

Through the ups and downs of history, Thang Long-Hanoi is still the beloved capital and the pride of the people of the whole country, the place where the quintessence of the nation's thousand-year-old culture comes together.

Located in the center of the capital Hanoi, Hoan Kiem District is a land associated with the 1,000-year-old tradition of Thang Long-Hanoi, the ancient beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter. Hoan Kiem District is also the administrative-political, economic, and cultural center of the city, a place with a treasure trove of tangible values with 190 historical-cultural relics and revolutionary resistance relics.

The 3D online exhibition "Dear Citizens of the Capital!" can be viewed at https://archives.org.vn/hoidongbaothudo/ or http://hoankiem.hanoi.gov.vn/hoidongbaothudo