The historical significance of the Liberation Day of Hanoi on October 10, 1954

NDO - Liberating the capital from the yoke of French imperialist aggression was a glorious revolutionary cause of the entire Party and people, and directly a glorious revolutionary cause of the Party Committee and people of the capital.

A unit of the Capital Regiment, carrying the "Determined to Fight, Determined to Win" flag presented by President Ho Chi Minh, participates in the first flag-raising ceremony on the Day of Liberation of the Capital, held at the Flagpole Square (now Doan Mon Gate - Thang Long Imperial Citadel) at 3 PM on October 10, 1954. (Photo: VNA archives)

The resistance in Hanoi exemplifies the spirit of "sacrifice for the Fatherland," "rather sacrifice everything than lose the country, rather die than be enslaved." Facing an invading enemy with a modernly equipped army and a ruling apparatus employing brutal repressive tactics, the people of Hanoi, armed only with rudimentary weapons, bravely rose up to fight. Countless outstanding sons and daughters of the capital fought tenaciously and indomitably; as one generation fell, another rose, determined to defeat the invading enemy. Fighting in the heart of the French colonialists' center of aggression, the resistance in Hanoi is a prime example of the strength of people's warfare, a model of all-people resistance on the urban front. This all-people resistance within the city also enriched the Party's leadership experience in guiding and directing the people and army of the capital in armed struggle against imperialist aggression. To bring the resistance in the capital to victory, stemming from the specific location, characteristics, and conditions of the Hanoi battlefield – a military base, the most important strategic area in northern Indochina – the Hanoi Party Committee correctly applied the resistance guidelines, policies, and strategies, especially the working principles in the temporarily occupied areas; united and mobilized the strength of the entire people to fight the enemy; focused on building and training forces throughout the resistance, first and foremost the mass political forces; on that basis, organized armed forces (including local troops, militia, guerrillas, and self-defense forces); closely combined the economic and political struggles of the masses with armed struggle and diplomatic struggle; simultaneously promoted propaganda and mobilization among all strata of the people, and even within the enemy ranks, creating a combined strength to achieve victory. However, fighting under extremely difficult and fierce conditions, the Hanoi Party Committee, in some places and at some times, inevitably made mistakes due to inaccurate analysis of the balance of forces between us and the enemy, and errors in working methods in the city under long-term enemy occupation, leading to losses in the movement. Amidst countless difficulties and challenges, thanks to the wise resistance line and close guidance of the Central Party Committee, and the support and determination of the people of the capital, the Hanoi Party Committee overcame all hardships and storms, and together with the whole country, defeated the French colonial invaders. Eight years of leading the Hanoi people and army in the resistance behind enemy territory, despite some limitations, the Party Committee matured both politically, ideologically, and organizationally. From the practical experience of the resistance, Party members and cadres gained a deeper understanding of the long-term, all-encompassing, and broad-based resistance line, uniting the people against imperialist aggression, and achieving true independence, unity, and democracy. Cadres and Party members played a pioneering and exemplary role, not shying away from hardship or sacrifice, demonstrating a high sense of responsibility, and maintaining close ties with the masses. This was one of the important factors that created the strength for the Party Committee to lead the resistance war against French colonialism by the people and army of the capital to victory. (Source: https://nhandan.vn/y-nghia-lich-su-ngay-giai-phong-thu-do-10101954-post719181.html)