PANO - The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi Museum have opened the exhibition themed "Hanoi: The unforgettable October memories" to mark the 60th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation.

With nearly 100 selected documentary photos and more than 30 objects, the exhibition is expected to help people, especially young generations and visitors, learn more about the heroic tradition and spirit of the Vietnamese armed forces and people in national defence.

Those historic October days in 1954 have forever gone down into the national history as  the inspiration for people of all walks of life in overcoming hardships and challenges to build the prosperous Capital of Hanoi. Below are some images on display in this special exhibition at the Museum of Hanoi:

The armed forces of Vietnam made the resounding victory after 9 years of resistance war, forcing the French to sign the Geneva Accords on July 20th 1954. The independence of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia was now recognized and the French colonialists had to withdraw from the North of Vietnam. In the photo: French troops's last steps in Hanoi (Hang Bong street).
At sharp 16.00, October 9th 1954, the last French troops retreated via Long Bien bridge. In the photo: The last military police motor following the troops retreating (via Hang Bong street to the Restored Sword Lake).
Twenty thousand Hanoians welcomed the Vietnamese troops. In the photo: Children and students of Hanoi excitedly welcoming the troops
On the morning of October 8th 1954, units of the Vietnam People’s Army advanced to Hanoi from different directions. In the photo: Troops entering Hanoi from the east via Duong bridge

At 06.00, October 9th 1954, the Vietnamese troops reached the city center via 5 gates, taking over the railway station, the General-governor Palace, etc. In the photo: The troops marching along Hang Dao street.
People welcomed the troops along the roads throughout the city with flags, banners and flowers on October 10th 1954. In the photo: People welcoming the troops by the Restored Sword Lake
In front of the Lakeside Power House
At 08.00, October 10th 1954, the Capital Regiment entered Hanoi from the west. The troops went past Kim Ma, Hang Day, Cua Nam, Hang Bong, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang streets before entering Hanoi Citadel via the East Gate.
At 15.00, October 10th 1954, tens of thousands of Hanoians attended the flag-raising ceremony. Head of the Military-administrative Committee Vuong Thua Vu read the letter that President Ho Chi Minh sent to the people of Hanoi, marking the turning point in the history of Hanoi when the capital was no longer under the domination of the French colonials.
President Ho Chi Minh meeting with Hanoi people

Tripod anti-tank bomb and carbine: the typical images of the capital during the 60 day-and-night uprising 
Steel helmet and gun used by troops of the Capital regiment during the 60 day-and-night combat
Sword and spear used by the capital’s self-defense force during the 60 day-and-night combat

The song “Hà Nội giải phóng” (Hanoi on the liberation day) composed by musician Nguyen Van Quy (Do Quyen) will forever stay in the mind of the Hanoians, marking the turning point of the capital.

Translated by Huu Duong