Participants included Major General Huynh Dac Huong – Head of the Representative Committee of Revolutionary soldiers imprisoned by the enemy in Hanoi city; Mr. Tran Kham – Deputy Head of the National Liaison Committee of Vietnamese Revolutionary Soldiers imprisoned by the enemy, Deputy Head of the Representative Committee of Revolutionary Soldiers imprisoned in Hanoi city by the enemy; Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha – Standing member of the Representative Board of Revolutionary Soldiers imprisoned by the enemy in Hanoi city, Head of the Liaison Committee of Revolutionary Soldiers imprisoned by the enemy at Hoa Lo Prison; historical witnesses are former political prisoners of Hoa Lo Prison, soldiers who participated in taking over the capital in 1954; officers and soldiers E30, Regiment 600 (Guard Command) …
The exhibition “The triumph song” depicts the glorious fighting journey of Hanoi’s army and people during the arduous years of resistance; reminiscent of the return with so many emotions and delights of 68 years ago when the army marched to the capital. The exhibition also shows pride and gratitude to those who have sacrificed for the beloved Capital.
The exhibition has three sections: “Persevering in Resistance,” “The Day of Victory,” and “Our Hanoi.”
The section “Persevering in Resistance” confirms the August Revolution of 1945, which resulted in the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Our people have progressed from being slaves to being masters of their own land and destiny. The French colonialists returned to control the South soon after abandoning their desire to invade Vietnam. The Party’s and Government’s Central Committees have implemented flexible measures to safeguard national independence, taking advantage of time to create resistance forces, but “the more concessions made, the more the French colonialists invade.” In response to President Ho Chi Minh’s call for a statewide resistance struggle, Hanoi’s soldiers and people have fought with tenacity and perseverance. After 60 days and nights of detaining the enemy in the city, the soldiers of the Capital Regiment bid farewell to Hanoi, vowing “Go out and return one day.” When the French colonialists retook Hanoi, they imposed military authority and repressed the resistance movement. Many officers, troops, and guerrillas have made tremendous sacrifices to safeguard the facility. Student protests continued to be active. Many officers, soldiers, students, and pupils were caught and imprisoned at Hoa Lo Prison by the enemy, but they all held the same belief that the capital would overcome the enemy.
Delegates listened to the introduction of the exhibition content of “The triumph song”.
The section “The Day of Victory” stresses that, despite years of valiant resistance, victory was not far away. The Dien Bien Phu Campaign triumph was a hítoric moment, forcing the enemy to sign the Geneva Agreement and evacuate its soldiers from North Vietnam. Before leaving the capital, the French colonialists attempted to demolish commercial and cultural facilities, induce countrymen to relocate south, and postpone the release of convicts. Self-defense forces and workers with a firm and reasonable attitude effectively stopped the enemy’s devastation and manipulation. The Administration and the Order team completed the handover of agencies, offices, and public works in early October 1954. When the last group of French forces crossed Long Bien bridge at 4:00 p.m. on October 9, 1954, our troops had entire control of the city. The takeover force protected lives, maintained facilities, and worked with mass organizations to mobilize the people of Ha Thanh in preparation for the capital’s liberation. The streets of Hanoi were brilliantly decorated with flower flags to greet the returning victorious soldiers early on October 10, 1954, just as the curfew had just ended.
The section “Our Hanoi” demonstrates how the people of Hanoi overcame difficulties to build a new life following the liberation day. While constructing the capital and battling the US, Hanoians continue to rise with unshakeable trust in the Party and the everlasting truth that “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.” After 68 years and more than 30 years of renovation, people’s lives and the landscape of the capital have changed dramatically. Hanoi is rising with the ambition to construct a rich, attractive, civilized, and modern capital, but the heroic capital’s memories will live on forever. The locations that were taken over at the time are now “witnesses” of history, recalling unforgettable occurrences. The generations of Capital citizens born after the Capital’s liberation on October 10, 1954, despite not witnessing the heroic moments, felt the pride of their father’s generations and will always remember, feel grateful to the soldiers who died for the nation’s independence and freedom, for the integrity of Hanoi – Heroic Capital – City for Peace.
Recreating the delight atmosphere to welcome the victorious army back.
At the Launching Ceremony of the Exhibition, the Organizing Committee recreated the images of mothers and girls in flowing ao dai to welcome the returning victorious army; In the exhibition space of colorful flags and flowers, the delegates sang the song “Going to Hanoi” by musician Van Cao.
Attending the exhibition “The triumph song” on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation Day, Colonel Duong Niet – a historical witness who participated in the takeover of the Capital shared: “68 years have passed, but on this day every year, especially when I see the images that recreate the glorious battle of Hanoi’s army and people, I feel touched as if I have relived those heroic years …”.
Colonel Duong Niet – A historical witness participating in the takeover of the Capital.
Exhibition “The triumph song” will be launched at 8:30 am on October 5, 2022 at Hoa Lo Prison Historic Site (No. 1, Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi).
Thảo Nhi