On October 10, 1954, Ha Noi witnessed a historical event. There weren’t fierce battles which Quang Trung’s troops defeated invaders and liberated Thang Long Citadel in the Spring of 1789 (the Year of Rooster). There also weren’t iron fists thrusting into the President Palace in the center of Sai Gon and forcing enemy surrendered unconditionally like the Great victory in the spring 1975. There were only units of the People’s Army of Viet Nam entering to takeover Ha Noi in order to implement the Geneva Agreements 1954, ending the occupation of French colonialism. That day was called “the Takeover Day”, however it’s really meant to be “the Liberation Day” since it was the result of 9- year-protracted resistance of nationwide people and of the direct impact from Dien Bien Phu Great victory.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2014), the National Library of Viet Nam in accordance with Then and Now Magazine organized a photo exhibition entitled “Ha Noi – The Takeover Day” which displays 60 photos related to this historical event. These photos were taken by local and foreign journalists, but most of them were captured by Hanoi’s citizens who witnessed the historical event and it has been become their unfadable memory.
Along with the photos of “the Takeover Day”, the exhibition also displays nearly 500 books and 20 newspapers, magazines about Ha Noi on the day before, during, and after the Takeover day of the local and foreign authors which selected from the heritage resource at the National Library of Viet Nam.
Through displayed materials in the exhibition, organizers hope to provide the comprehensive view of Ha Noi through single historic period to the public, especially the day when Ha Noi greeted joyfully victory troops returned the Capital, through which will remind people about the tradition of glorious, arise revolution heroism, love of country and ethnic pride in order to develop a prosperous capital.
Photo Exhibition “Ha Noi – The Takeover Day” will be opened from October 6, 2014 to October 16, 2014.