Unforgettable moments of the day of taking over the Capital

When the General Political Department's art troupe marched to take over the capital Hanoi, we walked among a crowd of people with flags flying all over the sky and faces that were so beautiful and radiant! The feeling of joy, pride, and honor that filled the soldiers in the ranks that day will forever be in my heart!", Lieutenant Colonel, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Manh Ha, shared.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Manh Ha and his wife Nguyen Thi Ngoc Xuyen.

It is an honor for both Meritorious Artist Nguyen Manh Ha and his wife Nguyen Thi Ngoc Xuyen that they are two of the artists of the General Political Department's Art Troupe who were able to take over Hanoi on October 10, 1954. Although they are nearly 80 years old this year, they are both still very alert, telling me many beautiful memories of the march to take over the capital 60 years ago.

At that time, the young man Manh Ha was from Phu Tho, and Ngoc Xuyen was from Bac Giang, both were actors of the General Political Department's Art Troupe. When they received the order to take over the capital in August 1954, the troupe was in Thai Nguyen, the two had just met each other, Manh Ha was just in his twenties, and the girl Ngoc Xuyen was only 17 years old at that time.

After the Geneva Agreement, for the first time, the General Department of Politics organized a military congress and decided to establish three art troupes: One troupe went to the northern delta provinces, one troupe went to Sam Son (Thanh Hoa) to welcome the regrouped people, and Manh Ha and Ngoc Xuyen belonged to the General Department troupe to take over Hanoi.

Immediately after the congress ended, the group began marching back to Hanoi on foot. When they reached Phung, they stopped and stayed there for 2 months to prepare both materially and spiritually, waiting for the day to take over the capital. Because it was an art troupe, they had to prepare performances to celebrate the liberation day such as bamboo dance, conical hat dance, firecracker pulling... with the spirit of bringing revolutionary culture and art to the people of the capital.

The General Political Department's art troupe took over the capital. Photo provided by the character

When hearing the order to return to take over the capital, not only young people like Manh Ha and Ngoc Xuyen but also the whole group were excited because many of them had never set foot in Hanoi.

Recalling the past with joy clearly visible on their faces, both Meritorious Artist Nguyen Manh Ha and his wife happily shared happy memories of the day they took over Hanoi: At that time, none of us knew what urban life was like, and we had the innocence of youth, so we were very excited and had many happy memories. The first time I came to the capital, I was very impressed by the beauty of the young women in ao dai, and it was also the first time I ate ice cream, so I loved it. Seeing everyone excited and eager, and the preparation for the takeover was very important, the commander kept telling us over and over again: When entering the inner city, "don't stick your nose to the glass door", don't do anything that affects people's lives, including not eating or drinking at people's houses, and don't buy anything during the first 6 months to maintain a good image for the army.

After being well prepared, on the morning of October 9, 1954, the whole group started to take over. Before leaving, each person was given a new military uniform, everyone was dressed neatly and beautifully. It was a feeling of great joy and pride to meet people holding flags wherever they went. At 2:00 p.m., the group arrived at Ha Pagoda and rested there. At around 7:00 p.m., several covered cars came to pick up the group and take them into town.

When he got to Cau Giay, he heard a clanging sound. Manh Ha was startled and lifted the curtain to look. He saw two large black blocks coming towards him. When he asked, he found out that they were trams. It was also the first time he saw a tram. Before returning to Hanoi, because it was raining, Manh Ha was very worried, afraid that there would be no moon. He thought that if there was no moon and he entered the city at night, how could he see the road and orient himself? However, when he entered the city, he was surprised because it was the middle of the night but the streets were bright. It turned out that Hanoi had electricity and lights...

Meritorious Artist Manh Ha recalled: “When the car carrying the delegation reached the southern gate of the citadel, there was a small car coming from the front, it was the car carrying General Vo Nguyen Giap, when it saw the car of the art troupe it immediately stopped. Everyone still remembers, at that time the General got out and asked: “Is that the car of the art troupe?” The brothers answered “Yes!”, at that time the General was very happy and said: “Just find the most beautiful house to rest”. Everyone laughed happily. After that, we went into a very big and beautiful house, spread out mats and hung mosquito nets to rest for the night. That was the first night, sleeping in Hanoi, so everyone in the group was restless and couldn’t sleep.

On October 10, we got back in the car to welcome the army to take over the capital with brilliant banners and welcome slogans. When passing a beautiful lake, I turned to ask musician Van Chung: "What lake is this?", musician Van Chung smiled and said "Hoan Kiem Lake". At that moment, I realized it was Hoan Kiem Lake, in the middle of the lake was a Turtle Tower, smaller than I had imagined", Meritorious Artist Manh Ha happily recounted.

After welcoming the army, our group entered the Flagpole Stadium (then called Mang Gianh Stadium). At 3 p.m., the flag-raising ceremony was held, and we listened to Uncle Ho's letter being read.

Continuing her husband's story, Mrs. Xuyen said that from October 11, 1954, the art troupe began its first performances at the Bo Ho Lamp Factory and the Yen Phu Power Plant. Especially the performance at the Exhibition House, a lot of people came to watch, everyone loved and respected the soldiers, the atmosphere was very happy and warm. That was also the first time she was given flowers after a performance, the first time she performed in front of the charming, beautiful and elegant people of Hanoi. At that time, Hanoi's population was not as dense as it is now, so it was easy to get lost if you didn't know the way. But when asking for directions, everyone gave very enthusiastic directions, even taking them to the place. Not only loving the soldiers and the revolution, the people of Hanoi at that time were also very polite and kind with many valuable qualities.

“I have lived in Hanoi for 60 years, witnessing this land change every day. There are many memorable things in my life, but the memories of Hanoi in the early days of liberation always make my heart flutter with emotion every time I mention them. Those are the most memorable days in my life,” Meritorious Artist Nguyen Manh Ha shared.

According to News