Let the relics speak: The heroic spirit of historical autumn in the heart of Hanoi

In August, autumn 1945, Hanoi was filled with the spirit of uprising. From the Opera House Square to the old houses, lamp posts, moss-covered tiled roofs..., the cry of "Vietnam Independence" resounded, spreading throughout every street.

Places that still preserve historical moments

80 years later, the capital is once again resplendent with the red flag with yellow star flying, blending with the bustling crowd. The ancient vestiges seem to open the door back to the sacred moment, reminding today's generation of pride, solidarity and responsibility to continue the footsteps of history.

Hanoi was the center of the August Revolution and the place that marked many important events in the nation's history. Today, historical sites still stand tall, telling the story of a heroic period of the nation.

Stepping foot on the lush green grass of Ba Dinh Square, it is easy to imagine the atmosphere of these days in the past: tens of thousands of people in brown and indigo shirts standing close together, listening to each sacred word: "Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in truth has become a free and independent country."

Today, with its new look, Ba Dinh Square has become more solemn and intimate. In preparation for the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2, the square has been expanded to be more majestic. A short distance from Ba Dinh Square is the Hanoi Opera House, where the Provisional Government introduced itself to the nation a few days after the August Revolution. Walking through the white columns and sitting on the steps where the oath of “Independence - Freedom” once resounded, many visitors cannot help but be moved.

Ms. Pham Tuyet Thanh, a primary school teacher in Hanoi, said: “Standing here, I feel like I can hear the shouts of my compatriots 80 years ago. The lessons in class suddenly become more vivid than ever.”

Hanoi Opera House, where the Provisional Government introduced itself to the nation a few days after the August Revolution.

Located in the city center, near Hoan Kiem Lake, is the house at 48 Hang Ngang, where Uncle Ho wrote the Declaration of Independence. The small room on the second floor still retains the desk, lamp and simple wooden bed. Every year, tens of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors come here, stunned by the history written from that old townhouse. The Hoa Lo Prison relic site is also a special destination. This place has become a living museum, telling the story of loyalty and the desire for independence.

Located on one of the most beautiful streets in Hanoi, the Tonkin Palace, where the Provisional Government worked after the August Revolution, has become an important destination for history lovers. At the end of 2024, this relic opened to visitors for the first time, and in just a short time, hundreds of thousands of Hanoians and domestic and foreign tourists lined up to explore the place that holds many important historical marks.

A group of students from Hanoi National University shared: “We have learned a lot about the September 2 event, but when we visited the Bac Bo Palace, we truly felt the historical, architectural and cultural significance of the relic. This is a construction associated with important events of the nation, especially the August Revolution and the National Resistance War. The ancient French architecture of the building is also a highlight, demonstrating the transformation of heritage into a symbol of freedom...”.

Each place preserves the memory of the spirit of solidarity, the desire for freedom and patriotism of the people, contributing to completing the historical picture of Hanoi in the August days. Historian Duong Trung Quoc once emphasized: "Only when setting foot in these places, we can see that history is not pages of paper, but a living memory, with breath and touch".

New life in old space

What is special is that many revolutionary relics in Hanoi today are not simply museums, but have become vibrant cultural spaces. Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Thang Long Imperial Citadel are often the locations for flag-raising ceremonies, military parades, marches or special art programs. On every National Day, this place becomes a gathering place for tens of thousands of people and tourists, as a proof that history still lives in the present.

Along with that, the streets of Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Trang Tien, and the Opera House… which once witnessed the crowds taking to the streets in 1945, are now art venues and walking streets, where people can reminisce and immerse themselves in the vibrant pace of life. A French tourist shared during a visit to the Hanoi Opera House: “We knew about the August Revolution through books, but when standing in this space, it felt like history was unfolding before our eyes.”

Mr. Dang Tran Thanh, a veteran, emotionally said: “Every time I attend the flag-raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square, I feel young again. Our generation sacrificed to protect independence, now seeing the square becoming more and more spacious, I am assured that the tradition will be passed on to our descendants in full.”

The relics associated with the August Revolution and National Day September 2 are not only historical and spiritual destinations but also cultural tourism products. According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the number of international and domestic visitors to these relics during the summer has increased sharply, many special tours have been designed specifically, bringing visitors to experience the journey "Following the footsteps of the historical Autumn".

Dr. Tran Duc Cuong, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of History, commented: “Each construction and each relic in Hanoi is not only associated with national history but also has profound traditional educational value. When organizing commemorative activities well, we not only show gratitude to the previous generation but also nurture pride and confidence in the younger generation.” Historical relics in Hanoi have special value because they not only mark important events but are also closely associated with the contemporary life of the people. That is how history continues to accompany the future.

More than 80 years have passed, but Hanoi is still a place where the sacred spirit of mountains and rivers converge, both preserving memories and breathing into it the vitality of the times. Places such as the Hanoi Opera House, Ba Dinh Square, 48 Hang Ngang, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the National Museum of History, etc. are like a network of interwoven memories, creating a panoramic picture of Hanoi in the revolutionary autumn, not only reminding today's generation of the value of independence and freedom, but also being attractive cultural and historical destinations, contributing to the identity of the thousand-year-old capital.

Wing Chun

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/de-di-tich-len-tieng-hao-khi-mua-thu-lich-su-giua-long-ha-noi-post811042.html