The national celebration for the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024) takes place at the National Conference Center in Hanoi today.

Leaders of Vietnam and Hanoi participate in the flag salute ceremony.

The celebration is solemnly organized by 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 Hanoi. It will be broadcast live on radio and television starting at 9am.

This is the most significant event in the series of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital.

Seventy years ago, after a nine-year-long war of resistance for independence, the brave and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese army and people, especially with the victory of the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954, compelled the French colonialists to sign the Geneva Agreement on July 21, 1954, to cease hostilities in Vietnam, recognizing the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and agreeing to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam.

On the morning of October 10, 1954, the city’s military units were divided into large groups carrying out the historic march into Hanoi. Over 400,000 residents of the capital eagerly welcomed the victorious troops amid a sea of flags and flowers, filled with immense joy.

By 3pm of the day, the military and people of Hanoi, representing compatriots nationwide, held a flag-raising ceremony and listened to a letter from President Ho Chi Minh: "Over the past eight years, the Government had to evacuate the capital to wage a war of resistance for the country’s independence. Though far apart, the Government’s heart has always been close to the people of Hanoi. Today, thanks to the unity and the army’s bravery, peace has prevailed. The Government has returned to the capital. We are now reunited as one family, and our joy is immeasurable."

The takeover of the capital was a great success. The military safely and swiftly took control of 129 government offices, public works, enterprises, hospitals, and schools, including military positions and key agencies such as Bach Mai Airport, Gia Lam Airport, the Governor-General’s Office, and the Federal Secret Police. The lives of the people remained normal and stable. The electricity, water, and transportation sectors operated smoothly, and political security and social order were ensured.

Over the past 70 years, Hanoi has made significant achievements, consistently maintaining robust growth and positively contributing to national development. As the capital and the political-administrative center of the nation, a major hub for culture, science, education, and economy, Hanoi always harbors the 'aspiration to become a dragon,' embodying the vision of a smart, modern city that lives up to its stature.

Here are some photos from the opening of the National Celebration, captured by reporters from The Hanoi Times: