Today's Dong Mac.
According to writer and researcher Nguyen Truong Quy, the truth is that Hanoi has quite a few city gates, but the number 5 has become a conventional number, like “36 streets”, numbers that have been symbolized to become the symbol of Hanoi. There are many cities in our country that have citadels, even citadels with entrance gates, but only Hanoi is called a city gate.
Explaining this symbol, writer Nguyen Truong Quy mentioned the concept of counting numbers corresponding to geographical directions in the culture of the system sets of Eastern people.
Nhan Dan Newspaper on October 11, 1954 wrote about the troops taking over the capital through the 5 main gates.
Specifically, in terms of direction during the Nguyen Dynasty, Hanoi was located in the center of the plain and semi-mountainous region of the North, with the northern and eastern sides bordering the Red River, continuing up to Kinh Bac to Nam Quan Pass and to Hai Phong - Quang Yen, the southern side was the trans-Vietnam highway, the northwest side went up to Son Tay, Hung Hoa, Tuyen Quang ("Son Hung Tuyen"), the southwest side went to Hoa Binh - Son La, up to the Northwest and to Laos, creating a 5-way form, and this was also the basis for the development of traffic during the colonial period.
The image of the five gates has been used by artists in their works as a symbolic symbol, associated with the symbol of the five-pointed yellow star. Writer and researcher Nguyen Truong Quy quoted: “The great yellow star shines brightly/ Five petals spread over the five gates” (Ba Dinh sunshine, Bui Cong Ky, poem by Vu Hoang Dich, 1947).
The most typical is the song “Marching to Hanoi” by musician Van Cao, composed in 1949. This song is considered a prophecy about the moment of liberation of the Capital, with heroic lyrics that forever resonate in the hearts of the public: “The five city gates welcome the advancing army/Like a flower platform welcoming the blooming of five peach petals/Flowing a sparkling stream of morning dew”.
Or painter Ta Ty with the poem "Love for the Five Ancient City Gates" written in 1955:
“I stand on this side of the parallel
Missing the five old gates
The Lord of the Night leads the way
The high dike of Cho Dua
Dam Bridge is muddy in the rain
The wind has come, is it cold yet?
Yen Phu with two banks of waves
Nhi Ha twinkles sparse stars
Cau Giay Royal Poinciana Street
How much I miss you...
Oh door, oh door!
Five crossroads of the country".
Images of troops returning to take over the capital through the five gates were also recorded in news reports related to October 10, 1954. Bao Nhan Dan on October 11, 1954 wrote: “The main units of the people's army on La Thanh dike road since 3:00 p.m. yesterday, divided into many wings to enter the five main gates and then spread out to the areas. (Article "On October 9, 1954, the Vietnam People's Army completely took over the capital Hanoi").
Through many historical changes, the old city gates have now disappeared, except for Quan Chuong Gate. Today, in place of the old city gates are crowded streets and wide boulevards. The city has expanded many times over its former size and has undergone many stages of development.
The Vietnamese army returned to take over the capital on October 10, 1954. (Photo: VNA – TTLTQG 1)
Mr. Dao Thanh Tung, Director of the National Archives Department (Ministry of Home Affairs), said that the vestiges of the ancient gates have witnessed many developments and changes in Hanoi after 70 years of taking over the capital. The ancient gates are historical witnesses of Thang Long - Hanoi through many ups and downs and changes; and this is also the place that witnessed the image of the victorious army returning on October 10, 1954.
Up to today, Hanoi has gradually changed its appearance, increasingly expanding and developing, with new spaces and planning. Today, the capital Hanoi, together with the country, firmly steps on the path of innovation, integration and development. Hanoi was awarded the title "City for Peace" by UNESCO (July 16, 1999), and is a member of the Creative Cities Network (October 30, 2019).
The old city gate was originally a very small structure in the overall famous architectural works of Hanoi through many historical periods, but it kept within it a very long story of Hanoi, about history, politics, culture, and social life. Until now, what remains of the city gates is not only history, but also a reminder for the current generation to appreciate the past and preserve what remains for the future.
O Cau Den today has become the intersection of Bach Mai - Dai Co Viet - Pho Hue - Tran Khat Chan.
Production organization: MINH VAN
Content: LINH KHÁNH – NGÂN ANH
Source: National Archives Center 1
Presented by: AZALEA
Photo: HA NAM, Document
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