HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội streets raged during the 60 days of fighting against French colonialists (December 19, 1946 – February 17, 1947), and evidence of the struggle is on display at an exhibition that opened recently.

Military officers and Capital Regiment fighters fought heroically, inspired by the words “give our lives for our nation’s life” to liberate the beloved capital.

The exhibition, themed Living Forever with the Capital, displays 200 documents, artefacts and photos from the French war (1945-54) provided by the Centre for Thăng Long Heritage Preservation and the Hà Nội Museum.

The exhibition is divided into three parts: Vietnamese people have the right to live in liberty and independence, Hà Nội in 60 days of war, and the liberation of the capital.

“The exhibition aims to review the remarkable historical tradition of the capital’s soldiers and people,” said Trương Minh Tiến, vice-director of the Department of Culture and Sports.

“The historical documents and photos depict truthfully the Capital Regiment’s heroic resistance, helping visitors, especially young people, feel proud of the tradition of protecting the country.”

Until mid-December 1946, the situation in Hà Nội and other regions from the 16th Parallel to the north Việt Nam became increasingly serious. After attacking and occupying Hải Phòng, the French decided to speed up its invasion by taking inhumane measures like occupying illegally the head office of Ministry of Finance and killing savagely at Yên Ninh and Hàng Bún streets.

In face of the conspiratorial and violent actions of the enemy, the Party and President Hồ Chí Minh led the army and people of north Việt Nam to prepare for combat and to move agencies, treasures, workshops, food, raw materials machinery out of cities. On the other hand, the Party and the President tried to take advantage of opportunities to reduce the probability of a war. However, that attempt came to nothing: French colonialists preferred a war.

On the evening of December 19, 1946, Vietnamese troops zeroed in their cannon at Láng Fortress, initiating the war. The next morning, the Voice of Việt Nam Radio broadcasted President Hồ appeal’s for national resistance. As a responce, Hà Nội’s army and people heroically fought for each of their houses and street corners during 60 days and nights. They managed to contain the enemy and to foil the enemy’s scheme for capturing main Vietnamese organs, which facilitated Việt Nam’s entrance into a long-term resistance war.

Visitors will understand more about the resistance through precious documents such as a notebook recording the content of a letter from President Hồ Chí Minh and official documents of the Ministry of Defence sent to the Capital Regiment during the resistance war in 1946-47.

The fierce war is reflected through cannon ball shot to Hà Nội’s Láng Fortress, a machine gun, poniard, knife and swords used by Hà Nội troops and people.

At the end of the exhibition, the joy of a new life is depicted through photos of people welcoming soldiers and the Government to take over the capital, a sight of declaration of independence ceremony at Ba Đình Square on September 2. On behalf of the Government, President hồ took an oath in the front of the National Assembly on March 2, 1946.

The capital Department of Culture and Sports organised the exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19).

In the framework of the exhibition, a fair with many rare and valuable books about Hà Nội will be open until November 27.

The exhibition will run until January 3, 2017 at the Thăng Long Citadel, 19C Hoàng Diệu Street, Hà Nội. — VNS