Thang Long Imperial Citadel – Hanoi: a vibrant series of activities on National Day September 2
During the recent National Day holiday on September 2, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel emerged as a key cultural and historical destination for both Hanoi residents and visitors, hosting a range of exhibitions, traditional art activities, and heritage-based experiences.
A series of National Day activities at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Organizing Committee.
The Thang Long–Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with partner organizations, organized a variety of cultural and experiential activities, including water puppetry performances, souvenir giveaways for visitors, and exhibitions highlighting key historical milestones.
The exhibition “House and Bunker D67 – the journey to victory”
House and Bunker D67 is a revolutionary heritage site of exceptional significance from the Ho Chi Minh era. Secretly constructed in 1967 amid the escalation of the war, the complex served as the venue for key meetings of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission, as well as the working headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army during the resistance against the United States and the early years of postwar reconstruction.
The exhibition is designed to vividly highlight the role of House and Bunker D67 between 1968 and 1975. More than 300 archival documents and photographs are presented across four thematic sections: the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the first phase of the destructive war; the story of House and Bunker D67; the struggle to defeat the “Vietnamization of the war” strategy and the second strategic air campaign; and the decisive victory of the Spring Offensive in 1975.
The exhibition “Enhancing the value of the revolutionary site of the Cryptography Bunker – General Staff Headquarters”
The exhibition “Enhancing the value of the Cryptography Bunker – General Staff Headquarters” offers visitors an immersive experience through documentary footage and sound-integrated panel displays, recreating the atmosphere of working inside the bunker at critical historical moments. The presentation highlights the role of the Cryptography Department of the General Staff at the headquarters during the resistance against the United States.
The Cryptography Bunker was rapidly constructed between February and June 1966, covering an area of 37.2 square meters. It occupied a vital position within the command system, ensuring uninterrupted communications for the Vietnam People’s Army even during intense air raids on Hanoi, particularly in late 1972.
The exhibition “Hanoi Flag Tower – Nation and the aspiration for peace”
The exhibition “Hanoi Flag Tower – Nation and the aspiration for peace” highlights the historical significance of a landmark closely associated with both the capital and the country. The display is organized into three thematic sections: the Flag Tower under the Nguyen dynasty; the period of French occupation and subsequent transformations; and an independent Vietnam. Through a combination of images, artifacts, and documentary films, the exhibition traces key historical moments, with particular emphasis on the liberation of Hanoi on October 10, 1954. The Flag Tower was constructed under King Gia Long between 1805 and 1812, featuring a three-tiered square base, an octagonal shaft, and a flagpole at its summit.
Visitors explore the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in a lively atmosphere. Photo: Kinh tế & Đô thị Newspaper.
Distinctive cultural and experiential activities
On September 1–2, visitors were offered free admission along with traditional water puppetry performances held at 11:00, 15:00, and 16:00. Long associated with major festivals, this folk art form was presented at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel as both an entertaining experience and an opportunity to engage with national cultural heritage. In addition, children and families received complimentary beverages and milk from TH True MILK, contributing to a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.
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