First opening of the Cryptographic Cellar at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Tourists experience tunnel D67 at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Hoang Lan.

The Secret Tunnel is a part of the tunnel system of Area A of Hanoi Citadel, built during the heroic years of the resistance war against the US to save the country of the Vietnamese people, playing an important role in helping the General Headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army maintain command, control and direction over the military branches and fronts in the conditions of the US Air Force fiercely attacking the capital Hanoi.

The Cipher Tunnel was started on February 10, 1966 and completed on June 30, 1966, with a total area of 37.2 square meters. It was most used in December 1972.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center will open this cellar to visitors. Accordingly, the cellar is researched and restored based on the principle of respecting the original elements, not interfering with the original relic, maximizing the value of the relic; approaching new interpretation methods and applying technology in interpretation and display to create an impression to attract visitors, especially young people.

On display at D67 basement. Photo: Hoang Lan

Vivid interior display, the layout of the bunker as it was; providing a lot of information through documentary explanatory displays, panel systems inside and outside the bunker; using storytelling sounds to make visitors feel like they were participating in working in the bunker at that historical moment.

From there, highlight historical information about the role and activities of the Cipher Department - General Staff; the command assurance activities of the Cipher Department - General Staff at the General Headquarters during the resistance war against the US, to save the country, especially in the period of 1972 - 1975.

The opening of the Cipher Cellar for the first time to serve visitors has an important meaning in educating traditions, meeting visitors' desire for a deeper and more specific understanding of revolutionary and resistance relics; contributing to promoting the value of revolutionary and resistance relics in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site.

Also on August 19, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Conservation Center also organized an exhibition titled “House and Bunker D67 - Journey to Total Victory” (phase 1). The exhibition includes 4 themes: The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the First Destructive War; The Story of House and Bunker D67 and Defeating the “Vietnamization of the War”, the Second Destructive War and the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

Hanoi Flag Tower, a destination that many tourists check in. Photo: Hoang Lan

In addition, at the Hanoi Flag Tower space, there will be an exhibition "Flag Tower/Hanoi Flag Tower - Fatherland and the desire for peace " to honor and promote the value of an important historical relic, a place that preserves the cultural and spiritual values of the people of the capital and the Vietnamese nation.

The exhibition is presented in three themes: Flag Tower under the Nguyen Dynasty; French colonial occupation and changes; and Independent Vietnam.

These topics are displayed in a combination of timelines and key events, with artifacts to help illustrate more vividly; short films about the history of the construction of the Flagpole are shown, especially reviving the historical moment on the day of the Capital's liberation on October 10, 1954.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lan-dau-tien-mo-cua-ham-co-yeu-tai-hoang-thanh-thang-long-712558.html