The emotions of the soldiers returning to the capital 70 years ago are intact.

The people of the capital joyfully welcomed our military units to take over the capital. (Photo: VNA - National Archives Center 1)

I was born in Hanoi in 1936, my family used to live on Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem. In 1946, my parents followed Uncle Ho's call for a national resistance war and led 7 siblings to Viet Bac to evacuate. My eldest brother was only 16 years old that year but joined the self-defense force. He asked his mother to stay and protect the capital during the 60-day and night campaign to defend Hanoi. Later, my brother joined the General Department of Politics, became a colonel and also a journalist. We were born in the capital, only had 10 years of carefree and happy life, then followed our family to fight the resistance war, enduring many hardships. At that time, my father worked in Tuyen Quang, every month he cycled back to Ha Hoa, Phu Tho to visit my mother and me. In our hearts, our family always burned with the desire for victory to return to the capital, to return to our beloved home. My parents also wished and believed in the day of victory so that their children could return home and go to school.

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Thi Ngoc Diep.

At that time, Hanoians, wherever they were, tried to adapt to life, no matter how difficult or arduous. During the days in the Viet Bac resistance base, living conditions were extremely difficult and hard, eating cassava and sweet potatoes. When the French parachuted in Phu Tho, we had to retreat into the forest. But no matter how difficult or arduous, Hanoians always believed that the resistance would be successful. I saw that every Hanoian loved their country and had a very special love for Hanoi.

Division 308 returns to take over the capital. (Photo: National Archives Center 1)

In 1946, I joined the army, joined the 308th Vanguard Main Force Corps. Wherever the troops went, we followed. Later, when we returned to take over the capital, it was the same. The Corps went first, and we followed. In 1954, a few days after October 10, our troupe was the second troupe to return to Hanoi after 9 years of resistance. We returned to Hanoi to perform in many places to serve the people, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Opera House, the Exhibition Area later called the People's Theater, built of wood, which is now the Vietnam - Soviet Union Friendship Cultural Palace.

The performance that left the biggest impression on us was the one at Hoan Kiem Lake. At that time, we built a large outdoor stage in front of Ba Kieu Temple, with wings and a backdrop. At first, the audience sat in front of the stage, but later the crowd was so large that it spilled over to the wings and the back. We had to remove all the wings and backdrop to make room for the people to watch. When changing costumes to change performances, the actors and artists had to crawl under the stage.

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Thi Ngoc Diep shares her memories of returning to Hanoi after taking over the capital.

This shows how much love the people have for the revolution. The people really like the cultural programs of the revolutionary art troupe, and they have a lot of love for us. Personally, I felt extremely happy at that time. When I left, it was the resistance period, Hanoi was still engulfed in smoke and fire, and when I returned, the atmosphere of victory was everywhere, that was happiness. My childhood in Hanoi was closely linked to the war, after a long time of resistance, when I returned to Hanoi, my birthplace, I was 18 years old, an adult. I was very happy. The joy and happiness just increased exponentially. We left to fight the resistance, and on the day of victory, the people of Hanoi welcomed us back. Colonel Nguyen Huu Tai, former Deputy Director of the Military Training Department, General Staff: I went looking for 'Hanoi with its beautiful and fragrant appearance' on the day of taking over the capital. Before taking over the capital, I was the Political Commissar of Regiment 209, Division 312. During the Dien Bien Phu campaign, I completed all the tasks assigned by my superiors, won many major battles, including the battle to destroy Him Lam with Regiment 141, and captured General De Castrie. With many great achievements, the unit was awarded the Emulation Flag of Determined to Fight, Determined to Win by Uncle Ho.

Colonel Nguyen Huu Tai.

In 1954, my Artillery Command and the 308th Division were able to take over the Capital. The first thing we did when taking over the Capital was to go to Hoan Kiem Lake to look back at old memories, see Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge. I have many profound memories when I returned to Hanoi. One of the memories I remember most is that the army discipline was very strict, no buying or selling was allowed in the newly liberated area. At that time, we went to Hoan Kiem Lake, sat on a stone bench to rest and were thirsty. At that time, an ice cream seller came over to invite the soldiers to buy ice cream. Although we had not known what ice cream was for 8 years, we were very hungry but did not dare to buy or eat it to show that we had followed the discipline when entering the citadel. Another memory, before entering the capital, all cadres and soldiers had to learn 10 disciplinary rules and 8 policies for liberated areas so that the people could clearly understand that our army was different from other occupying forces, very serious, very friendly with the people, close to the people and had no violations of discipline.

Hanoi residents present flowers to Major General Vuong Thua Vu, Chairman of the Hanoi Military Commission. (Photo: VNA - National Archives Center 1)

During the arduous marching nights, fighting through the campaigns, all of us “dreamed of Hanoi’s graceful and fragrant figure”. The thoughts, feelings, and aspirations to return to Hanoi of those who left Hanoi were all in the same mindset. Therefore, when returning to Hanoi, in addition to obeying discipline, maintaining people-to-people relations, and implementing policies, we still remember the lyrics of musician Nguyen Dinh Thi: “Relaxing young men, what eyes?” So, when returning to Hanoi, we all had to find those eyes.

The Capital Regiment arrived at the beginning of Hang Gai Street on October 10, 1954. (Photo: VNA - National Archives Center 1)

Indeed, the eyes of Hanoi girls are beautiful, sparkling, emotional, and charming. During breaks, we often go to Trung Vuong school on Hang Bai street - the center of "what eyes" to see Hanoi girls. That is the romance of young people when returning to Hanoi.

In the war zone, all around us was dark blue, but when we returned to Hanoi, we saw all kinds of bright colors, with the blue, red, purple ao dai of the Trung Vuong girls. Every time we got on our bicycles, the girls would drape their ao dai over the bicycles, extremely charming. Those images will never be forgotten. Colonel Le Van Tinh, Capital Regiment (Regiment 102), Pioneer Corps (Division 308): Unforgettable October Days One day in early October 1954, Company 238 received orders to march to Phung (outskirt of Hanoi). At exactly 5:00 a.m. on October 10, we started to leave Phung village, following National Highway 32 towards Hanoi.

Colonel Le Van Tinh.

Our army passed through the Cau Dien and Cau Giay areas. All around, the rice fields were in the fragrant season. People poured out on both sides of the road, carrying flowers and colorful banners. The people were looking forward to the soldiers returning, and the soldiers were looking forward to returning to the capital. These two expectations met, so the feelings were extremely difficult to describe. There was joy and excitement; there was tears. Occasionally, someone brought flowers, hurriedly ran out to put them in the hands of the soldiers advancing towards Hanoi. The army passed through the streets to Hoan Kiem Lake, to the entrance of Dong Xuan market. The streets were under curfew, but every house was open, everyone stood inside watching the soldiers pass by with friendly, close faces as if they had been expecting for a long time...

Our army prepares to hold the flag-raising ceremony at the Flagpole yard on October 10, 1954. (Photo: VNA - National Archives Center 1)

After lunch, in the afternoon of the same day, we gathered at the Flagpole Stadium, with other units and people to attend the flag-raising ceremony. At this time, the International Team supervising the implementation of the Geneva Agreement was also present.

Major General Vuong Thua Vu reads President Ho's appeal to the people of the capital. (Photo: VNA - National Archives Center 1)

At exactly 3:00 p.m. on October 10, 1954, the City Theater's siren sounded a long blast. The majestic national anthem resounded, and the national flag fluttered atop the Hanoi flagpole. Major General Vuong Thua Vu read President Ho's Appeal to the people of the Capital. The words in the letter moved us deeply. After reading, everyone was moved and shouted: "Long live Ho Chi Minh". In the first days, our troops began to carry out military management tasks. At this time, the enemy also used many arguments to shake the spirit of our people. The soldiers divided into groups of 3 people, went to each house to ask about health, talk, and answer questions for the people.

Colonel Le Van Tinh and Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Thi Ngoc Diep shook hands and greeted each other.

In particular, every evening, the troupes would organize bamboo dances and silk dances at street corners and flower gardens. People came out in large numbers to respond. Following Uncle Ho's instructions, we successfully completed the tasks assigned by Uncle Ho, and our unit was commended. I and some comrades in the Division were awarded Uncle Ho's badge - an extremely valuable reward.

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/ven-nguyen-cam-xuc-cua-nhung-nguoi-trong-doan-quan-tro-ve-thu-do-tu-70-nam-truoc-post836096.html