NDO - In the memory of People's Armed Forces Hero Nguyen Tien Ha, the day the liberation army marched to take over the capital 68 years ago is still clear and indelible.
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Every year, when October comes, memories of the historic autumn when the victorious army returned to take over the capital Hanoi revive in the heart of Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha.
“The five city gates welcome the advancing troops/Like a flower platform welcoming, blooming five peach petals, flowing a sparkling stream of morning dew…” (Marching to Hanoi - Musician Van Cao). Every historic October, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, former member of the Hoang Dieu National Salvation Youth Union Nguyen Tien Ha plays that immortal piece of music in his small room. Memories of the days when he and his comrades returned to take over the capital 68 years ago also resound clearly with the music. From the great Hoa Lo school… He is 96 years old this year, but Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha is still very clear-headed and especially enthusiastic when asked about the historic days of the capital. Born into a family with a rich tradition of patriotism in Gia Loc district, Hai Duong province, he was enlightened about the revolution from a very young age. His older brother, Mr. Nguyen Huu Van, was once a bodyguard and secretary of President Ho Chi Minh. Before the August Revolution of 1945, he joined the Hoang Dieu Citadel National Salvation Youth Union with the task of teaching the national language to the people. |
Although years have passed, the glorious memories of the past still remain in Mr. Ha's mind.
In 1950, while on a mission to rescue a police envoy working in the inner city who was arrested at Phu Doan Hospital (now Viet Duc Hospital), he was captured by the enemy and detained at Hoa Lo Prison. Pausing for a moment, he recounted: “The enemy brutally tortured me. They shocked my hands and feet with electric shocks, dropped me in a water tank, and then took me out to dry in the sun. Unable to get any information, they used 'sweet honey', giving me cigarettes and milk to drink. But I resolutely refused to reveal anything. The day I entered Hoa Lo, I was almost exhausted. The prisoners had to take care of me for several days before I woke up.” Up to this point, he still cannot forget the meals in wooden troughs and metal barrels that the enemy provided for his comrades. He also clearly remembers the fitful sleep on a long, cold bed, always buzzing with flies, mosquitoes, and insects. The French colonialists plotted to torture patriotic soldiers to destroy their will. However, it was during those years in prison that patriotism and the desire for independence and freedom burned more intensely than ever. |
For Mr. Ha, Hoa Lo is also a great school to grow up, preparing for the day of taking over the capital a few years later. (Photo: Thanh Dat)
Entering the Hoa Lo school, young man Nguyen Tien Ha was elected to the Party Committee and then became the Party Secretary in prison. “At that time, the food in the prison was not guaranteed. We could only eat spoiled, cheap meat, small fish, and meat cooked with tough skin like clogs. The Party Committee fought with the enemy to demand improvements in prisoners' lives as well as against terrorism and repression,” said Mr. Ha. In addition, the Party Committee also mobilized party members to propagate so that the prisoners could maintain their fighting spirit; organized cultural and political classes, and even… foreign languages. |
Until now, he still cannot forget the meals in wooden troughs and metal boxes that the enemy provided for his comrades. He also clearly remembers the fitful sleep on the long, cold bed, always buzzing with flies, mosquitoes, and insects. (Photo: Thanh Dat)
To avoid enemy espionage, the opening of classes must also be organized tightly and secretly. According to the former prisoner, each camp will have a number of core party members, mobilizing the prisoners to fight together, encouraging their spirit and will to strive. While laughing, the 96-year-old former prisoner continued: "When they discovered that we were organizing classes, the enemy immediately conducted strict inspections. However, the notes were only... formulas, drawings and... foreign words. The political and military lectures were only passed on by word of mouth. So they had no choice but to give up." ... until the day the city gate welcomed the army to advance. In 1953, after being released after nearly 3 years in a colonial prison, he immediately sought to contact the unit to operate semi-publicly under a new alias - Professor Tran Huu Thoa. Two years later, the "professor" was present in the victorious army returning to the capital. To carry out the mission, his troops were ordered to move to Thanh Tri a few days in advance. Because he was fluent in both English and French, the “professor” was in charge of the European-African Prison Camp, mainly carrying out propaganda of Vietnam’s policies towards prisoners of war and prisoners of war. |
"At that time, everyone was eagerly waiting for the day of 'returning'. The closer it got to October 10, the more excited we became, unable to sleep all night," Mr. Ha recalled the time before Tien returned to Hanoi. (Photo: Son Bach)
“At that time, everyone was eagerly waiting for the day of ‘returning’. The closer it got to October 10, the more excited we were, we couldn’t sleep all night,” Mr. Ha recalled. After many days of waiting, on the morning of October 10, the liberation troops gradually entered through the 5 city gates. Before Mr. Ha’s eyes were red flags with yellow stars flying freely on every street. Thousands of people poured into the streets, dressed neatly, holding flowers and pictures of Uncle Ho to welcome the troops. |
The southern army, belonging to the 88th and 36th Regiments of the 308th Division, advanced through Bach Mai Street, Hue Street... to take over the capital on the morning of October 10, 1954. (Photo: VNA documents)
Looking at the stream of people shining with the joy of independence, Mr. Ha's eyes blurred. He said that day was truly a great festival of the country and the Fatherland. "Along both sides of the road were joyful faces. Everyone sang resistance songs, praising patriotism. Among the returning soldiers, we were all moved and wanted to cry. Our peaceful Hanoi is here," Mr. Ha's hands were shaking, but he still had the same emotions as that day. |
The victorious army returned to take over the capital amid the joy of the army and people of Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)
In the afternoon of the same day, the Hanoi Opera House's siren blew a long whistle. Hundreds of thousands of people in the capital and military units lined up in neat rows. In a moment, the whole of Hanoi turned to the Hanoi Citadel Flag Tower, looking up at the red flag with a yellow star fluttering in the wind. After the flag-raising ceremony, Major General Vuong Thua Vu respectfully read President Ho Chi Minh 's Appeal to the people of the capital on the day of liberation in the emotional atmosphere of a sea of people. 68 years have passed, but the memories of those days still remain in Mr. Ha's memory. Saying goodbye to him, the music from the apartment still echoed in our hearts: "We re-grow the flowers, the colors and fragrances of the distant days, Oh, the streets of beloved old Hanoi, The flowers of tomorrow welcome the future into our hands, The springs of life smile and sing happily, When the army marches, the night gradually fades away, Like spring descending on the branches, the streets listen to the wind, Hanoi bursts into a marching song" (Marching to Hanoi - Musician Van Cao)
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