Solemn Ceremony of Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10)

On the morning of October 10, at the National Convention Center (My Dinh - Hanoi), the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; President Truong Tan Sang; National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung; Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan; and veteran revolutionaries; representatives of central leaders, many ministries, departments, branches, and provinces and cities nationwide; leaders of the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; representatives of localities in the capital; outstanding citizens of the capital and a large number of people attended the ceremony.

President Truong Tan Sang pinned the Ho Chi Minh Order on the traditional flag of Hanoi. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State, President Truong Tan Sang awarded the Ho Chi Minh Medal to the Party Committee, government and people of Hanoi.

Speaking at the ceremony, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi sent his best wishes and thanks to the Party and State leaders, revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, soldiers nationwide and our compatriots abroad who have always followed and supported the development of the capital.

Comrade Pham Quang Nghi emphasized that in this sacred and solemn moment, with infinite gratitude and emotion, we respectfully remember the great President Ho Chi Minh - Founder, leader and trainer of our Party, beloved leader of the Vietnamese people, Hero of national liberation, World cultural celebrity.

We commemorate the heroic martyrs, comrades and compatriots who heroically sacrificed and contributed to the revolutionary cause of the Party, to the cause of national liberation, to the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam and the beloved capital Hanoi.

Reviewing the glorious historical tradition, comrade Pham Quang Nghi affirmed that after the August Revolution in 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born, from the status of slaves to become the masters of the country, the people of Hanoi and the whole country had no other wish than to live in peace, independence, freedom, and focus on building a prosperous and happy life.

60 years ago, the last colonial soldiers withdrew across Long Bien Bridge, our army and people completely controlled Hanoi. On the morning of October 10, 1954, the City Military Committee and military units divided into many large groups to launch a historic march into Hanoi. More than 400,000 people in the capital were excited in the forest of flags and flowers, with extreme joy welcoming the victorious army's return.

From that moment on, Hanoi - the capital of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was cleared of enemies, and together with the whole country, entered a new page of history. That glorious pride belonged to the heroic Vietnamese people, in which the army and people of the capital were the direct resistance force in the enemy's heartland on a special battlefield, at the center of the French colonial regime.

After liberation, the Capital embarked on the task of restoring and developing the economy, culture and society; overcoming the consequences left by the colonial regime. The Capital both made efforts to build socialism and, together with the people of the North, devoted all its efforts to supporting the battlefield in the South.

During the years of resistance against the US, the country was temporarily divided, Hanoi and the North were often fiercely attacked by the enemy. However, the people of the capital, in the most difficult moments, still firmly believed in the Party.

Party and State leaders and former leaders and delegates attended the ceremony. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA

Through many stages, Hanoi, in the face of numerous difficulties, has made great efforts, with high determination, proactively and creatively completed a huge amount of work, including new, difficult and unprecedented tasks, quickly stabilized the organization and staff, and united together, determined to successfully carry out the socio-economic tasks of the Capital.

Four years ago, on October 10, 2010, Hanoi successfully organized the 1,000th anniversary celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi, leaving a good impression in the hearts of compatriots nationwide and international friends.

Regarding the development of the capital in recent years, the Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee highlighted that despite facing many severe difficulties due to the impact of the complicated situation in the world, especially the global economic recession and tense developments in the East Sea, the capital Hanoi has still achieved many outstanding, comprehensive, and very proud achievements.

Hanoi's average annual economic growth rate is 9.5%, 1.5 times higher than the national average, GDP accounts for 10%, budget revenue accounts for nearly 20% of the country; urban planning, construction and management, traffic order and safety are focused on and have positive changes; many traffic works and urban beautification projects are deployed and put into effective use. Culture, education and social security are always given special attention.

Hanoi is the locality with the highest human development index in the country, with the largest scale in education and training... The political system from the city to the grassroots has been improved; the leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels have many innovations in the direction of concentration, determination, decisiveness and efficiency.

Comrade Pham Quang Nghi raised the importance of the capital area, which has always ensured political security and national defense, ensuring absolute safety for the agencies and activities of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, and important political and cultural events of the country and the world.

Currently, Hanoi has established cooperative and friendly relations with more than 100 capitals and cities in the world. 15 years ago, Hanoi was the only city in Asia-Pacific to be awarded the title “City for Peace” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Art program to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA

The Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee affirmed that Hanoi has always been a leading locality in implementing Uncle Ho's teachings on patriotic emulation. This year is the 22nd year Hanoi has organized the "Good People, Good Deeds" award ceremony and the 5th year the city has awarded the title "Outstanding Capital Citizen".

Comrade Pham Quang Nghi, on behalf of the city's leaders, warmly commended and congratulated 10 "outstanding citizens of the Capital" and 1,120 outstanding individuals who were awarded the title "Good people, good deeds" in 2014.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tai (85 years old), a representative of historical witnesses on behalf of veterans in Hanoi, said with emotion: This day 60 years ago was a great historical day for the capital and the whole country. Hanoi was red with flags and banners welcoming the liberation army to take over the capital.

At this moment, I am deeply moved remembering Uncle Ho, General Vo Nguyen Giap and my fallen comrades. For the past 60 years, my comrades and I have been fighting, working, and dedicating ourselves to being worthy of being Uncle Ho's soldiers, model citizens of the beloved Capital.

At the ceremony, Hanoi city also honored "Good people, good deeds" and "Outstanding citizens of the capital" in 2014.

Source: News