From Ngo Mon Gate to the historic Ba Dinh Square

VHO - Eighty years have passed, but in the subconscious of many elderly people in the ancient capital of Hue, the historical moments of the August 1945 Revolution remain unforgettable. Especially the event of Emperor Bao Dai's abdication, marking the end of the last monarchy in Vietnam.

The Ngo Mon Gate in Hue is the site of Emperor Bao Dai's abdication ceremony, marking the end of the last feudal regime in Vietnam.

Amidst the overwhelming heroic atmosphere of the August 1945 General Uprising, Hue, the center of the last feudal regime, marked significant historical turning points.

Remembering the historic autumn

The memory of that historic autumn 80 years ago remains vivid in the mind of Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, a pre-revolution cadre now nearly a hundred years old. At that time, he studied at Hue National High School and soon embraced revolutionary ideals, then returned to his hometown in Loc Bon commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province (formerly) to participate in the struggle movement.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien recounted, “At that time, I was 18 years old, admitted to and serving as Deputy Secretary of the National Salvation Youth Union of the commune. Together with my comrades, we mobilized the people to seize power in Loc Bon commune. After that, we mobilized the people to seize power in An Nong commune, Phu Loc district (formerly), and by August 19th, we had seized power in the district. From the district, we moved to the province. On August 23rd, 1945, tens of thousands of people from various districts gathered in the city area, surrounding the headquarters of the puppet government, officially seizing power in Thua Thien Hue province.”

Initially, the Tran Trong Kim government planned to hold a rally at the Hue stadium to celebrate Japan's handover of the administration of Southern Vietnam to the Hue court. However, this plan was thwarted by the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Uprising Committee and transformed into a rally to demonstrate the revolutionary spirit of the people.

Tens of thousands of people in Thua Thien Hue province waved red flags with yellow stars and cheered loudly. Here, Mr. To Huu delivered a speech outlining the scale and significance of the uprising and declaring that from now on, power belonged to the people. He also introduced the Provisional Revolutionary People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province, with Mr. Ton Quang Phiệt as Chairman and Mr. Hoang Anh as Vice Chairman.

A significant milestone of that autumn was the historic abdication of Emperor Bảo Đại, marking the end of Vietnam's last feudal dynasty and the return of power to the people.

Mr. Nguyen Xuyen

  When the August Revolution took place, I was a passionate and honored 20-year-old young man, fortunate to participate in two major rallies in Hue. In particular, I witnessed the historic moment when Emperor Bao Dai read his abdication decree at Ngo Mon Gate and handed over the royal seal and sword to the delegation of the Provisional Government led by Mr. Tran Huy Lieu. The August Revolution in Hue was a transfer of power with profound humanitarian value.

(Mr. Nguyen Xuyen)

Mr. Nguyen Xuyen (residing on Phan Boi Chau Street, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City), who has just turned 101 but is still mentally sharp, recounted to us the rally at Ngo Mon Square when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated. It was the afternoon of August 30th, when tens of thousands of people gathered in Ngo Mon Square, chanting "Long live independent Vietnam!" and "Long live the Democratic Republic of Vietnam!"

“I was born in Binh Dinh and went to study at Khai Dinh High School (later Hue National High School). At the time of the August Revolution, I was a 20-year-old young man full of enthusiasm and had the honor and good fortune to participate in two large rallies in Hue. In particular, I witnessed the historic moment when King Bao Dai read the abdication decree at Ngo Mon Gate and handed over the royal seal and sword to the delegation of the Provisional Government led by Mr. Tran Huy Lieu. The August Revolution in Hue was a transfer of power with profound humanistic values,” Mr. Nguyen Xuyen recounted.

According to Nguyen Trung Chinh, former Deputy Secretary of the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Party Committee (now Hue City), the most significant event in the August Revolution in Hue was the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai, who handed over the royal seal and sword, contributing to the nationwide general uprising and the complete victory in seizing power.

Rarely has a historical transfer of power taken place in the world in such an orderly and peaceful atmosphere as in Hue. The feudal monarchy ended with the consensus of history and the people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, a pre-revolution cadre in Hue, recounts the struggle for power in 1945.

The Ngo Mon Gate relic continues to tell the story of history.

The Ngo Mon Gate (Hue Imperial Citadel), located on the sacred axis of the Hue Citadel, was built during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty and has been renovated and preserved over several periods. It is not only the main southern gate of the Hue Imperial Citadel but also served as a "ceremonial platform" for major court ceremonies such as the Calendar Distribution Ceremony and the Transmission of the Imperial Seal Ceremony. And in the historic autumn of 1945, Ngo Mon Gate was also where Emperor Bao Dai announced his abdication before the entire nation.

The very existence and majesty of Ngo Mon Gate serves as a reminder of this momentous event, marking the end of Vietnam's 143-year feudal regime (1802-1945). Today, Ngo Mon Gate in Hue continues to tell the historical story of Emperor Bao Dai's abdication 80 years ago. This story, though not always directly expressed, is conveyed through ongoing activities.

As indicated on the signs and in the explanatory texts about Ngo Mon Gate to inform visitors, the historical story of Ngo Mon Gate includes the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai. Or, during exhibitions or thematic displays on the occasion of important national events, especially those focusing on the August Revolution of 1945 and National Day on September 2nd, such as the exhibition "From Ngo Mon Gate to the Historic Ba Dinh Square," which displays many related documents and artifacts.

At the exhibition "From Ngo Mon Gate to the historic Ba Dinh Square" commemorating the successful August Revolution in Hue.

The historical story of Ngo Mon Gate in Hue in 1945 continues to be told through publications and historical research documents about Hue… Especially through the awareness of the people and tourists. “For many Vietnamese people, especially the people of Hue and those who love history, Ngo Mon Gate is associated with the event of Emperor Bao Dai's abdication. Awareness and oral retelling within the community is also a way for this historical story to continue to be preserved,” emphasized Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc, Director of the Hue City History Museum.

It can be seen that the Ngo Mon Gate in Hue is not only a beautiful architectural structure but also a historical witness, where the story of Emperor Bao Dai's abdication ceremony is still recounted clearly and solemnly through official information channels, cultural activities, and in the minds of those who care about the heritage of the ancient capital.

From 2025, the Hue City People's Council also passed a Resolution adjusting the dates for free entry to the Hue Imperial Citadel complex. The five days of free entry for Vietnamese visitors include the anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19th) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2nd).

This is also an opportunity for locals and tourists not only to visit historical sites but also to learn more about the glorious history of the nation, including the abdication ceremony of King Bao Dai at Ngo Mon Gate.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/tu-ngo-mon-den-ba-dinh-lich-su-161931.html