Historical relics in connection with capital.

Five city gates

The image of the five city gates became a symbol of the capital's liberation day, as composer Van Cao wrote in the song Tien Ve Ha Noi (Advance to Ha Noi): "Five city gates heartily welcome the returning army..." It is worth noting that this popular song was written in 1949, five years before the memorable event.

"Composer Van Cao's prophecy came true when five columns of the Vietnamese army entered Ha Noi in early October 1954. From October 7 to 9, the units marched into Ha Noi through the gates of Cau Giay, Cau Den, Yen Phu, Hang Dau, and Thuy Khue," commented writer Nguyen Ngoc Tien.

In fact, except for Quan Chuong Gate, nearly twenty city gates in Ha Noi were demolished one by one by the end of the 19th century. Today, the monument can be seen on Hang Chieu Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District. From afar, visitors can see the ancient mossy wall and gate and read the inscription: "Dong Ha Gate" - its official name.

Apart from this special one, the others, especially the gates of Cau Den, Cau Giay, Cho Dua, and Dong Mac, have disappeared to make way for roads, intersections, flyovers, or houses.

Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien Bridge is a key historical witness to the liberation of the capital. On the drizzly night of February 17, 1947, the 102nd Capital Regiment crossed the Red River stealthily and in small units under the Long Bien Bridge. About 1,000 soldiers successfully left behind the unwitting French guards on the bridge, preserving their strength for the 9-year anti-French resistance war.

At 4pm on October 9, 1954, the last French troops withdrew from Ha Noi across Long Bien Bridge to Gia Lam District and from there to Haiphong City, as stipulated in the Geneva Accords. A unit of the Capital Regiment reached one end of Long Bien Bridge to the cheers and applause of people standing along Hang Dau and Tran Nhat Duat streets.

During the anti-US resistance war, the bridge was a high-profile bombing target for the US Air Force. Since then, it has undergone several renovations, while many more modern and ornate bridges such as Nhat Tan or Vinh Tuy span the Red River.

Despite its diminished role in local transportation, Ha Noi's beloved rusting Long Bien Bridge continues to attract domestic and international tourists for its historical, cultural and architectural significance.

Ha Noi Flag Tower

On October 10, 1954, the first flag-raising ceremony after the liberation of Ha Noi was held in the Doan Mon courtyard of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (then called the Flag Tower Courtyard) in a jubilant atmosphere.

The ceremony was held by the Ha Noi City Political-Military Committee in the presence of the military units involved in the capital takeover and tens of thousands of their fellow citizens. The military band played the national anthem, the Opera House siren sounded a long blast, and the yellow-starred red flag was hoisted to the top of the Flag Tower, fluttering in the wind.

At this historic ceremony, the people of Ha Noi listened to President Ho Chi Minh's appeal to the people of the capital on the occasion of Liberation Day, which was read by Committee Chairman Vuong Thua Vu.

In 1989, the Flag Tower was officially recognized by the State as a historical relic. The Ha Noi Flag Tower is currently located on the grounds of the Vietnam Museum of Military History, across from Lenin Park on Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh District. The capital's iconic landmark is also the first stop on tours of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Ha Noi Opera House

As well as being a cultural venue, the Ha Noi Opera House and August Revolution Square have been the site of many historic events. The first Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam held its first session in the theater on March 2, 1946. After the liberation of the capital, the Opera House hosted meetings of the legislative body from March 20 to 26, 1955, until Ba Dinh Hall was built in 1963.

It was here that Ha Noians hung portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, banners, and red flags with yellow stars to greet the triumphant army as it marched into the capital. It was also where the siren sounded to signal the historic flag-hoisting ceremony on the afternoon of October 10, 1954.

Since its restoration from 1995 to 1997, the Ha Noi Opera House has continued its past role as one of the most important performing arts venues in the city. It regularly hosts cultural activities and performances by Vietnamese and foreign troupes, with priority given to folk art and traditional music. In 2011, the Ha Noi Opera House and August Revolution Square were recognized as national historical and architectural relics by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Hang Dao Street

Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market witnessed the 60-day and night battle for Ha Noi in late 1946 and early 1947. The fiercest fight was the siege of Dong Xuan Market on February 14, 1947. According to Lieutenant General Vuong Thua Vu, the French army bombarded the market non-stop for three days, encircling it with over 400 soldiers and combat vehicles. Their plan was to directly attack the Military Zone I command center and then take control of Ha Noi.

With only 130 men left, the 101st Suicide Battalion of the Capital Regiment fought bravely to hold their positions and create a safe escape route for the retreat mentioned above on the night of February 17, 1947. As a result, the Central Command remained intact.

While retaining its classical style, Dong Xuan Market has undergone a modern facelift seven decades after the 1946 Winter Battle. Bustling year-round, it is now the largest wholesale center in the North and the largest market in Ha Noi's Old Quarter.