Looking at Hanoi's changes after 70 years of liberation

Hanoi - 70 years after the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954), historical structures have changed a lot over time.

Long Bien Bridge Long Bien Bridge is a historical witness to the victory of our army and people. On July 20, 1954, the Geneva Agreement was signed, forcing the French army to withdraw from Hanoi within 80 days. On October 9, 1954, the last French soldiers withdrew across this bridge. At the same time, the Vietnamese army entered the bridge to take over the capital. To this day, after 70 years of liberating the capital, the more than 2km bridge built by the French is still preserved and maintained.

Long Bien Bridge has been preserved over the years. Photo: Nhat Minh

Hanoi Opera House At 3:00 p.m. on October 10, 1954, the Hanoi Opera House was the place where the whistle sounded to signal the historic flag-raising ceremony. This project was started by the French in 1901 and completed 10 years later. To this day, the Hanoi Opera House is still the venue for important cultural and artistic activities of the city.

Hanoi Opera House is a venue for many important artistic activities. Photo: Nhat Minh

Hanoi Flag Tower In 1954, the sacred flag-raising ceremony on the day of the Capital Liberation took place at the Hanoi Flag Tower. On the afternoon of October 10, the military band played the National Anthem under the direction of comrade Dinh Ngoc Lien, and the national flag was raised on the Hanoi Flag Tower. This event marked the period when Hanoi was completely free from the domination of French colonialism and our people rose up to take control of their own destiny. Currently, the Hanoi Flag Tower is still preserved, kept intact and located on Dien Bien Phu Street (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi).

Hanoi Flag Tower is a tourist destination for many international tourists. Photo: Nhat Minh

The Presidential Palace is now the place to work and receive international guests. It used to be the Palace of the Governor General of Indochina, designed by a German-French architect named Lichten Fenđơ. The building has a Renaissance style and was completed in 1906.

Image of the Presidential Palace after many years of construction. Photo: Nhat Minh

Kim Ma Street 70 years ago, people lined both sides of Kim Ma Street to welcome the 308th Division to take over the capital. Today, this street is always bustling with traffic every day and is one of the important traffic routes of the capital.

Busy traffic on Kim Ma street. Photo: Nhat Minh

Ham Long Street Ham Long Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) is over 500m long and 10m wide. It was also called Doudard de Lagrée Avenue during the French colonial period. In the fall of 70 years ago, people on both sides of the street hung red flags with yellow stars to celebrate the Liberation of the Capital.

Ham Long Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) used to be the place where people hung flags on both sides of the street to celebrate the liberation of the capital. Photo: Nhat Minh

Hang Dao Street During the French colonial period, Hang Dao Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) was called Rue de la Soie. In the early 20th century, the French installed rails for the Bo Ho - Hang Dau tram to run through the area. However, by the end of the 20th century, all rails were dismantled and the means of transport was replaced by buses. Currently, Hang Dao Street is a bustling commercial and business place and attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists. On weekend evenings, the Hang Dao - Dong Xuan night market walking street takes place here.

Bustling scene on Hang Dao Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi). Photo: Nhat Minh

Hang Trong Police Station When occupying Hanoi, the French established a police force, also known as Doi Cam, to maintain security and order. Hang Trong Police Station was where they worked and temporarily detained criminals. After 1954, this place became the headquarters of Hoan Kiem District Police and has existed to this day.