Hanoi is the place that preserves the sacred spirit of mountains and rivers and the heroic history of the nation. Through many ups and downs, the land of the capital with “a thousand years of civilization” has always maintained its steadfast and indomitable spirit, worthy of the title “Heroic Capital.”
Today, not only inheriting precious heritages, Hanoi is growing strongly, becoming an important political, cultural and economic center of the country, contributing to the prosperous development of the nation.
With its special importance, the history of Thang Long-Hanoi is always closely linked to the history of the nation. Since the "Edict on the Transfer of the Capital" of King Ly Thai To in 1010 until now, Thang Long-Hanoi has experienced and witnessed many historical changes. The army and people of Hanoi, generation after generation, have worked persistently, fought steadfastly, created a brilliant culture, and achieved many glorious feats that will be remembered forever.
For nearly a century, under the oppression and exploitation of the feudal colonial regime, Hanoi was both the cradle and witness of many patriotic and revolutionary movements.
In 1010, King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital to Thang Long. With the aspiration and spirit of “Dragon rising up,” for the next eight centuries (from the 10th century to the 19th century), Thang Long was the pride of the nation, the birthplace and gathering place of many national heroes and cultural celebrities; a place that testified to the battles and victories over foreign invaders with immortal place names: Co Loa, Ham Tu, Chuong Duong, Ngoc Hoi, Dong Da… and immortal celebrities: Ly Thuong Kiet, Chu Van An, Nguyen Trai, Ngo Thi Nham, Nguyen Van Sieu, Cao Ba Quat, Nguyen Du, Ho Xuan Huong…
By the early 19th century, the Nguyen Dynasty established its capital in Hue and changed the name of Thang Long to Hanoi. From the mid-19th century, Hanoi stood up with the whole country to fight against the French colonialists.
For nearly a century, under the oppression and exploitation of the feudal colonial regime, Hanoi was both the cradle and witness of many patriotic and revolutionary movements.
The first organization of the Revolutionary Youth Association and the first communist cell were also established in Hanoi. Many revolutionary movements and uprisings also started in the capital.
On August 19, 1945, the August Revolution won complete victory in Hanoi and quickly spread everywhere, encouraging and strongly motivating the people of the whole country to rise up and seize power.
On the morning of September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, affirming before the people and the whole world: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact has become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property to maintain that freedom and independence.” (Photo: VNA)
On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, opening a new era - the era of independence, freedom and socialism in our country.
However, less than a month after the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born, the French colonialists, with the ambition to invade our country, once again provoked and launched a war throughout the country.
Responding to President Ho Chi Minh’s sacred call “Rather sacrifice everything than lose the country, never become slaves,” Hanoi rose up to fight the enemy, taking the initiative in the resistance war. The first shot from Lang fortress fired into the enemy camp (December 19, 1946) became the opening command for the nation’s sacred resistance war.
With the spirit of “Determination to die for the survival of the Fatherland,” the army and people of Hanoi fought steadfastly and bravely, turning every street corner, every house into a fortress, every citizen into a soldier, holding out, fighting the enemy for 60 days and nights of fire and smoke. Many suicide squads were established, the “Capital Regiment” was born. Thousands of sons of Inter-Zone I fought bravely, many fell to protect the Capital, to hold back and wear down the enemy’s strength, creating conditions for the resistance forces to retreat safely to their bases, successfully completing the tasks assigned by the Central Government.
After nearly 9 years, unable to withstand the tenacious fighting spirit of our army and people, especially after our decisive blow at Dien Bien Phu, the French colonialists were forced to sit at the negotiating table and sign the Geneva Agreement (July 21, 1954) recognizing the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and had to withdraw their troops from Northern Vietnam.
According to the Geneva Agreement, Hanoi was located in the enemy's 80-day assembly area. Taking advantage of this time, the French army actively organized activities to sabotage the capital in all aspects.
Faced with the new situation, the Hanoi Party Committee and government relied on the people, advocated leading the people of the capital to unite and fight for the implementation of the Agreement, protect the city, protect enterprises, offices, lives and property of the people, protect the rights of workers and civil servants, and fight against enemy sabotage; at the same time, step up the development of revolutionary forces in the city, coordinate with forces returning from the war zone to take over the capital.
At exactly 4:00 p.m. on October 9, 1954, the last French colonial soldiers withdrew across Long Bien Bridge, and our army and people completely controlled the city. On October 10, 1954, tens of thousands of Hanoians burst into joy to welcome the victorious army back to take over the capital. Hundreds of thousands of Hanoians attended the flag-raising ceremony organized by the Military Committee at the Flagpole Stadium with the participation of military units.
After the flag-raising ceremony, Chairman of the Military Commission Vuong Thua Vu respectfully read President Ho Chi Minh's Appeal to the people of the Capital on the occasion of Liberation Day.
In the Appeal, Uncle Ho wrote: “For the past eight years, the Government has had to leave the Capital to fight for national salvation. Although we are far apart, the Government’s heart is always close to the people. Today, thanks to the unity of our people, our army’s heroic fight, peace has been achieved, and the Government has returned to the Capital with the people. Thousands of miles away, one home, the joy is indescribable!”
President Ho Chi Minh also emphasized: “After the great change, restoring normal life will be complicated and difficult. But if the Government is determined and all the people of Hanoi are united in contributing to the Government, we will definitely overcome all difficulties and achieve the common goal: making Hanoi a peaceful, joyful and prosperous capital.”
Immediately after taking over the capital, the Hanoi Party Committee and government led the people to quickly stabilize the situation and begin restoring and renovating the city.
Just over a month after liberation, the city approved a plan to restore industry and commerce, and a year later completed land reform, a fundamental strategic task of the national democratic revolution…
By 1965, Hanoi had become a major industrial center of the North. Culture and education developed, and people's lives improved.
In early 1965, when the first five-year plan was in its final months of implementation, the US imperialists expanded their destructive war to the North. Hanoi quickly entered wartime and achieved a miracle.
During the 12 days and nights of late December 1972, the US imperialists used B52 aircraft to carpet bomb Hanoi and many other provinces and cities.
Hanoi, together with the military branches, provinces and cities, organized combat forces to completely defeat the strategic air raid of the US imperialists, creating the miracle of "Dien Bien Phu in the air."
Hanoi's air defense forces created a net of fire in the capital's sky, shooting down many US aircraft during the 12-day and night battle in December 1972. (Photo: VNA)
The victory of “Dien Bien Phu in the air” contributed significantly to creating a historical turning point, fundamentally changing the situation of the resistance war against the US to save the country, forcing the US Government to sign the Paris Agreement, ending the war, restoring peace in Vietnam, moving towards liberating the South and unifying the country.
Entering the renovation period from 1986 to now, Hanoi seems to have turned a new page. The capital city of Hanoi has not only changed its appearance with a series of high-rise buildings and modern commercial centers, but also transformed strongly in terms of economy and society.
In the context of the country facing difficulties, the economic growth rate of many localities has decreased, Hanoi still grows steadily, with a GRDP increase of 6.27% (2023), higher than the overall growth rate of the whole country (5.05%). People's income continues to improve, averaging 150 million VND/person/year.
In recent years, many key infrastructure projects have been invested in, constructed and put into use, contributing significantly to changing the face of the capital.
The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway has been put into operation, along with belt routes connecting suburban areas; new urban areas and a series of bridges across the Red River have not only improved traffic but also created new economic zones with great potential.
The development of industrial parks has attracted billions of dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI), contributing to the rapid development of the capital's economy.
In 2023, Hanoi attracted over 2.94 billion USD of FDI capital, an increase of 70.5% over the previous year and was one of the top 5 localities in the country in attracting FDI capital.
Along with economic development, Hanoi always focuses on improving the quality of life for its people. The education system is heavily invested.
Hanoi has now become the leading educational center of the country, with over 2,900 schools of all levels and nearly 100 universities and academies...
The healthcare system has also developed remarkably with 42 public hospitals, 5 specialized centers, 30 district, county and town medical centers and thousands of private medical facilities.
Social security is ensured, especially in hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, and care for social policy beneficiaries. By the end of 2023, the poverty rate in the city will decrease to 0.03%; the near-poor rate will decrease to 0.7%. Health insurance coverage will reach 93.5%.
Despite modern development, Hanoi is still proud to preserve and promote its thousand-year-old cultural values.
Hanoi is home to the largest number of heritages in the country with a rich system of scenic spots, historical relics, and unique tangible and intangible cultural heritages (5,922 inventoried relics; 1,350 craft villages, nearly 1,700 folk festivals, 1,793 intangible cultural heritages).
Cultural heritages such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Old Quarter, etc. are preserved and restored, becoming attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.
Tourism has become a key economic sector, contributing greatly to the capital's budget. In 2023, the total number of tourists to the capital is estimated at 24 million, with total revenue from the tourism industry estimated at VND87.65 trillion (an increase of 27% in the number of visitors and 45.5% in revenue compared to 2022).
The capital’s foreign affairs have also seen positive changes. Up to now, Hanoi has signed cooperation agreements with 61 capitals and cities of other countries; has economic and trade relations with nearly 200 countries and territories…
Hanoi is also the venue for many important events, such as: World Economic Forum on ASEAN (2018), US-North Korea Summit (2019)...
With the efforts of the Party Committee, Government and People of the Capital over the past 70 years, Hanoi deserves to be the national political-administrative center, a major center of culture, science, education, economy and international transactions of the whole country, praised by international friends and honored by UNESCO as the "City for Peace"; 3 times awarded the Gold Star Order by the State, and given the title "Heroic Capital."
In the future, Hanoi is aiming for sustainable development and becoming a smart city.
With projects on environmentally friendly public transport systems, green urban areas and advanced information technology, Hanoi is gradually building a modern city without losing its traditional beauty./.
(Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thang-long-ha-noi-tu-lich-su-hao-hung-den-tuong-lai-thinh-vuong-post980108.vnp
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