First time opening to visit the Cryptographic Cellar at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

For the first time, the Cipher Cellar at Thang Long Imperial Citadel - which once kept the secret information of the General Staff during the resistance war against the US - was opened and introduced to the public on the occasion of National Day, September 2. This is an activity of great significance in educating about traditions, meeting the desire of visitors to have a deeper and more specific understanding of revolutionary and resistance relics.

On August 19, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center held the opening ceremony of a series of exhibition activities "House and Bunker D67 - Journey to total victory" (phase 1); "Promoting the value of the revolutionary relic of the Cipher Bunker - General Staff; "Hanoi Flagpole/Flag Tower - Fatherland and the desire for peace ".

Delegates attending the ceremony

Attending the event were Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission Nguyen Trong Nghia; Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha... along with leaders of central and Hanoi departments and branches; veterans and historical witnesses.

Director of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center Nguyen Thanh Quang speaks at the opening ceremony

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center Nguyen Thanh Quang said: The Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi - a world cultural heritage, is a place where the typical historical and cultural values of the Vietnamese people converge and crystallize. This place not only preserves thousands of years of sediment, but also preserves revolutionary relics - "red addresses" with rich traditional educational significance such as: House and Bunker D67, Combat Command Bunker T1, Cryptographic Bunker and Hanoi Flag Tower relic.

In the continuous flow of more than 1,300 years of Thang Long - Hanoi, these relics are especially important historical marks of the glorious Ho Chi Minh era, recording the heroic milestones of the nation and the heroic Capital, contributing to the unique identity of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage complex today.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the series of exhibition activities.

Over the years, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has coordinated with experts, scientists, and specialized agencies to gradually research, preserve, and promote the value of revolutionary relics in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage site, opening its doors widely to welcome domestic and international visitors. The Center has met and paid tribute to historical witnesses; collected and supplemented many documents and artifacts related to revolutionary relics; organized exhibitions and introduced valuable documents and artifacts here to serve the public; supplemented historical information through QR codes; built a 360° virtual tour at the D67 House relic; interpreted the historical story of Tunnel T1...

Delegates visit the exhibition space

"The historical stories told and vividly recreated in the displays and exhibitions opened today help us review the glorious golden pages of history, pay tribute to generations of heroic martyrs who fell for peace and freedom, and are an endless source of inspiration, fostering love for the Fatherland and national pride, empowering today's generation to continue writing the story of peace in the new era, the era of wealth, civilization, prosperity, and national growth," said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang.

The Cryptographic Tunnel opens to the public for the first time

During the opening ceremony, delegates, local people and international visitors were able to visit and experience the exhibition space "House and Bunker D67 - Journey to total victory" (phase 1) and the exhibition "Promoting the value of revolutionary relics of the Cipher Bunker - General Staff". In particular, the opening of the Cipher Bunker to the public for the first time on September 2 was considered a special highlight.

The Cipher Tunnel was started on February 10, 1966 and completed on June 30, 1966, with a total area of 37.2 square meters, and was most used in December 1972. This is a part of the tunnel system of Area A of Hanoi Citadel, built during the heroic years of the resistance war against the US to save the country of the Vietnamese people, playing an important role in helping the General Headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army maintain command, control and direction over the military branches and fronts in the conditions of the US Air Force fiercely attacking the capital Hanoi.

Space under the Secret Basement

Artifacts on display in the Cryptographic Cellar

The relic is restored on the principle of respecting the original elements, not interfering with the original relic, maximizing the value of the relic; approaching new interpretation methods and applying technology in interpretation and display to create an impression to attract visitors, especially young people.

Thereby, the exhibition promotes the value of the revolutionary relic of the Cipher Bunker - General Staff with vivid interiors, the layout of the bunker as it was; provides a lot of information through the exhibition and interpretation of documentary films, the panel system inside and outside the bunker; uses audio storytelling to make visitors feel like they are working in the bunker at that historical moment. Thereby highlighting historical information about the role and activities of the Cipher Department - General Staff; Activities of ensuring command of the Cipher Department - General Staff at the General Headquarters during the resistance war against the US, saving the country, especially in the period of 1972 - 1975.

The exhibition "House and Bunker D67 - Journey to total victory" will introduce more than 300 valuable documents and images.

In addition, the exhibition "House and Bunker D67 - Journey to total victory" will introduce more than 300 valuable documents and images about strategic decisions in the resistance war against the US. The exhibition includes 4 themes: The Gulf of Tonkin incident and the first destructive war; The story of House and Bunker D67 and Defeating "Vietnamization of the war"; The second destructive war and the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

The exhibition spaces attract a large public, especially young people, to visit.

In addition to the exhibition and opening of the House and D67 Tunnel; the Cipher Tunnel, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center will also organize the exhibition "Hanoi Flag Tower/Flagpole - Fatherland and aspiration for peace" on September 1 at the Hanoi Flag Tower space to honor and promote the value of an important historical relic, a place that preserves the cultural and spiritual values of the people of the capital and the Vietnamese nation. /.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lan-dau-tien-mo-cua-tham-quan-ham-co-yeu-tai-hoang-thanh-thang-long-20250819123747827.htm