HANOI - THE CITY FOR PEACE

Yet, it resounds every year during the celebration of the Hanoi Liberation Day. Exactly 70 years ago, the entrances of Hanoi city were adorned with red flags and flowers, eagerly welcoming the Vietnamese victorious army returning from the military base to take over the Capital.

Right at the beginning of the year 2024, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi already issued plans to commemorate major historical events, including the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024). The devised activities of great importance have been—and are being-- done throughout the city. They aim to honor and express our gratitude for the contributions and sacrifices of the people and those who have served the revolution. Additionally, they focus on caring for the material and spiritual life of our citizens, particularly in remote and ethnic minority areas, as well as on promoting excellent collectives and individuals in labor, production and education. Furthermore, they strive to foster and raise the community’s awareness and pride in the glorious heroic history, peace, friendship and good traditions of Thăng Long-Hà Nội. Also, these activities aim to enhance and promote the image of the Capital to localities within the country and to international friends.

The commemorative activities have been put into key groups, including a “peak” emulation campaign in honor of the anniversary. They also focus on disseminating and promoting the celebrations thereof, highlighting the socio-economic achievements and those in national defense-security reaped by Hanoi over the past 70 years. Moreover, they help to spread the Capital’s image through the mass media and honor and acknowledge people who have made significant contributions to the revolution.

The communication for the 70^th Anniversary of Hanoi Liberation covers a wide range of topics with rich contents. They are targeted at provision of information and promotion on the significance of the events. Additionally, they highlight the achievements of the Capital on its path of renewal. A contest on the topic: “70 years since the Liberation of Hanoi” is being organized. Besides, a Creative Writing and Art Contest, along with composing of songs about Hanoi and its Liberation, and the Hanoi Autumn Festival have been included in the plan as well. Hanoi’s authorities will visit and give gifts to war veterans, especially those who participated in the anti-French resistance and the Liberation of Hanoi in order to honor them and to express our gratitude to them.

Up to now, the Organizing Committee has completed 10 activities out of the outlined 12 ones. The Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee did emphasize the need for thorough preparations for the key programs. These include the national commemorative ceremony for the 70th anniversary of Hanoi Liberation on the morning of October 10, the special art program “City of Peace - City of the Soaring Dragon” on the evening of October 10, and the “Cultural Festival for Peace” on the morning of October 6.

The City has also adjusted the scope of another eight activities, given the fact that Northern provinces are still recovering from the impacts of Typhoon No.3 and continuous heavy rains in September of this year.

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, right from May 2024, issued Plan No. 148 for activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi Capital, the 25th anniversary of Hanoi being named a “City for Peace” by UNESCO, and to welcome the Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi for the 2024-2029 term. In May, the “Hanoi in Me” writing contest for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese was officially launched and is now in its final stage for a summary and awards ceremony scheduled for the end of October. Activities such as the International Children’s Painting Contest “I Love Hanoi – City of Peace” were successfully held with the participation of nearly 200 Vietnamese and international children. During the ASEAN Color Cultural Friendship Festival at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel from August 29 to September 1, the Organizing Committee awarded 23 prizes to the winner-children and displayed the awarded paintings to a wide audience. The Friendship Tennis Tournament co-hosted by the HAUFO with the Hnoi Department of Culture and Sports attracted nearly 100 Vietnamese and foreign athletes, including diplomats and international organizations’ staff in Hanoi. The tournament became a sporting event rich in the spirit of friendship, an opportunity to foster exchange, and enhance mutual understanding among members of the Friendship Associations, member organizations HAUFO, and international friends.

The success of the seminar “Hanoi - City for Peace: 25 Years of Integration and Development” once again affirmed the core role of the HAUFO in people-to-people diplomacy. The participants unanimously agreed that Hanoi totally deserves the title of “City for Peace” and should continue to uphold and preserve its value for future generations.

Notably, the HAUFO successfully cooperated with the organization of the Peace Culture Festival in featuring a parade involving 120 international delegates and Professor Ahn Yong Hwan, an Honorary Citizen of Hanoi.

Additionally, the collaborative activities were also carried out vigorously and continuously throughout the third quarter of 2024, including the Expanded Hanoi Art Photography Contest, Hanoi Autumn Festival, 9th Hanoi Book Fair, 49th HanoiMoi Newspaper Peace Marathon, Ao Dai Festival 2024, etc. all marking the effective coordination of HAUFO.

We believe that, given the dynamism and extensive experience of the Capital’s people-to-people diplomacy staff, they will successfully complete their assigned tasks to contribute considerably to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi.

                                                                                               Bảo Anh

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