60 years ago, after the defeat at Dien Bien Phu, the French colonialists had to sign the Geneva Accord recognizing the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam and had to withdraw troops from the North. Under the leadership of the Central Party, the armed forces and people of Hanoi were actively preparing forces comprehensively to take over the capital. At 16 hours sharp, 9th October, 1954, the last French soldiers withdrew through Long Bien Bridge, our military and people outright took over the City.

Secretary of Hanoi's Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi encourages the city's youths on the day of their enlistment

On the morning of  10th October, 1954 morning, the City’s Armed Services Committee and the People's Army units divided into several large wings, proceeded to Hanoi. The Thu Do Regiment had the honor of flag bearers "Determined to fight and determined to win" to lead the troops. Two hundred thousands of  people in the Capital tingled in the forest of red flags, filled with joy to welcome the victorious army to return. At 15 hours, tens of thousands of people and the army units who took over the city participated in the solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Flag Tower stadium. Both Hanoi brimstoned singing the marching song, flaming the liberating joy, filled with trust, and gratitude to the Party and the beloved Uncle Ho!

The 10th October, 1954 event went down in the history, not only as a milestone marking the victory of a small nation over a world-leading colonialist, but also ushering in a new era of the Ho Chi Minh time in the evolution of Thang Long - Hanoi.

Bearing inside the potentials, the immense mental and spiritual strength, the heroic tradition and noble qualities, Hanoi made resounding feats and accomplishments, praised by friends all over the world and honored by UNESCO with the title "The City for Peace”. For outstanding achievements in combat, production and support for the frontline, Hanoi had received 4 compliment letters from President Ho Chi Minh and was commended by the National Assembly Standing Committee as "Hanoi made a great feat, deserving the heroic capital of the whole nation"; and was awarded three times by the State the Gold Star Medal and the title "The heroic capital"; the Armed Forces of Hanoi were awarded twice the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces. Hanoi deserves trust and love of people throughout the country, and is praised by the international friends.  Hanoi is an endless source of inspiration for literary and artistic creation, is "faith, love and hope", "bright morning star", "proud heart", and the "song of glory" etc.

Entering the new millennium, Hanoi increasingly flourishes and grows every day. By the historical and poetic Red River, with the historical Long Bien Bridge are  the new bridges and modern urban buildings. Around the legendary Hoan Kiem lake, along with cherishing and preserving the beauty of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 36 streets and ancient buildings are new works, a harmonious combination between tradition and modernity.

As a result of attention, leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee and the direct leadership of the Party Committee of Hanoi, following the tradition of the Trang An and Xu Doai people,  Hanoi today is always united as one, overcoming all difficulties and challenges, making many outstanding achievements in the struggle for national independence, national reunification and in the reform cause. The "Cultural- Heroic- Peaceful- Friendly" tradition continue to be fostered with the qualities of unity, resilience and creativity.

Through the flow of time, the development of Hanoi thousand years of civilization and culture has always shown the national quintessence and strength, the strength and longevity of an independent nation, a self-control nation. The sustainable development and growing reputation of Hanoi over the past 60 years is the convergence power of the Ho Chi Minh era, the convergence of will of a nation to vigorously rise.

Looking back to those years, delighted at the achievements and progresses, the Party committee, the government and people of Hanoi always wonder, concern about what has not been done and the weaknesses, shortcomings. Economy of the Capital has gained a better growth in scale and speed, but needs to make more efforts more in terms of quality and sustainability. The city has not also tapped and well promoted potentials and resources, geographical advantages of a capital; city-planning management and urban order are still weak. Administrative reform has achieved significant progress, but initiative and dynamism in part of public employees and officials have not yet  met the requirements; there exists problems that cause discontent  among the people. The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) is low; culture- society, education– training and science- technology development is not commensurate with the requirements. There are still a number of evils, negative behaviors, uncultured behavior, lack of legal awareness, etc.

During 60 years of development, Hanoi has always remembered the Uncle Ho’s teaching: the Capital must be exemplary, leading the nation in every emulative movement, and political duties undertaking. To meet the growing demands of the country and the people, Hanoi should strive more to deserve the emotion and expectations of the Central Government and of the whole country.

Being a heroic capital, cadres, party members and the people of Hanoi must always uphold the tradition of solidarity, to resolutely overcome all difficulties, firmly defending the revolutionary achievements, building our capital and our country to become bigger and more modern.

Being a City for Peace, Hanoi has increasingly determined to build strength and improve in all aspects and strives to strengthen and firmly protect peaceful environment to build the capital and the country, always ensuring stability in politics solidity in defense, safety in security, and discipline in social order in all situations.

Being the heart of the country, the national political and administrative center, Hanoi must be exemplary, leading in the work of building the Party and political system; to promote the strength of great unity, good implementation of principles of democratic centralism and all guidelines and policies of the Party and the State.

To deserve a great center of culture, education, science, economy and international transaction, a driving force for development of the Red River Delta and the whole country, Hanoi must strive to pioneer in thinking renovation, strong mobilization of social resources, intellectual potentials, and science– technology; to effectively carry out social security, improving the quality of life of the people; promoting industrialization and modernization, international integration and development of the knowledge economy; synchronous development of markets with products and services that pertain high knowledge ratio- high quality- and high competitiveness.

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the capital, 15 years to be  acclaimed the "City for Peace", for the love, honor and responsibility to the capital and the country, the Party committee, the government and people of the capital commit to unite as one, continue to strive to overcome all difficulties and challenges, together with the people throughout the country to be steadfast on the path of innovation, keeps recording the new achievements , deserving the love of the Party, the State and people.

Pham Quang Nghi

Member of the Politburo

Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee