Liberation Day of the Capital (October 10, 1954)

Following the successful August Revolution of 1945, the French colonialists returned to invade our country for the second time. On December 19, 1946, in response to President Ho Chi Minh 's call, " ...We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country, than be enslaved," the people and army of Hanoi, along with the rest of the country, rose up to fight the enemy.

The 60-day and 60-night battle in Hanoi marked the beginning of the nationwide resistance, holding back and depleting the enemy's forces, creating favorable conditions for our central leadership and resistance forces to withdraw to the Viet Bac base, preparing for a protracted resistance.

GP 1 — People welcome the liberation army of the capital, morning of October 10, 1954. (Archival photo)

After nine years of arduous and heroic fighting by our army and people, especially after the victory in the strategic decisive battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the French colonialists were forced to sign the Geneva Agreement on July 21, 1954, ending the war with us.

According to the Geneva Agreement, Hanoi was located within the French troop assembly and transfer area (within 80 days): “ Limited by an arc with a radius of fifteen (15) kilometers, centered at the foot of Long Bien Bridge on the right bank, running from the Red River to the West, and bordering the Duong River to the Northeast. ” ^{^[1]}

GP 2 — The last French soldiers on Hang Bong Street, Hanoi, October 1954. (Archival photo)

On October 9, 1954, the last French soldiers withdrew across the Long Bien Bridge. On the morning of October 10, 1954, the Hanoi Military and Political Committee and various army units, including infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft, and mechanized units, divided into several columns and advanced towards Hanoi, taking over the capital amidst the cheers of the people. At 3 PM that same day, tens of thousands of people solemnly attended the flag-raising ceremony organized by the Military and Political Committee, with the presence of the army and people of the capital. The red flag with a yellow star fluttered proudly atop the ancient flagpole...

On January 1, 1955, at Ba Dinh Square, hundreds of thousands of Hanoi residents held a solemn rally to welcome the Central Committee of the Party, the Government, and President Ho Chi Minh back to the capital. This historic event made a profound impression and had immense political significance for the entire nation, a brilliant milestone marking the complete defeat of French colonialism in Vietnam, opening a new era of development for the capital and the country.

^{^[1]} Excerpt from the Geneva Armistice Agreement.

Source: https://baotang.dongthap.gov.vn/tin-hoat-dong/ngay-giai-phong-thu-do-10-10-1954-168.html