Buzz
In addition to leisurely resort getaways during the extended holiday, April 30th is also a suitable time to visit historical relics and ancient battlefields, revisiting the unforgettable imprints of war and taking pride in the indomitable spirit of our forefathers. Here are some historical sites in the North that you should not miss on the occasion of April 30th.
1. Ba Dinh Square
For the capital city of Hanoi and the entire country of Vietnam, Ba Dinh Square is not just a tourist destination; it is also a symbol, a pride of the Vietnamese people. It bears the heroic traces of the Vietnamese nation after many years under colonial rule.
Ba Dinh Square. Image: Collection
This is not just the place where Uncle Ho proclaimed the independence, giving birth to Vietnam, but also where he lived and worked after the capital was liberated from 1954 to 1969. Today, it is a venue for many important events in our country, including significant meetings of the National Assembly, Central Party, and Government. Notably, there are rallies, parades, and processions on major holidays.
Raising the flag ceremony at Ba Dinh Square. Image: Collection
Visiting Ba Dinh Square, you cannot overlook the unique architectural structures in the area, such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ba Dinh Square Hall, Monument to the Martyrs, and Ho's Fish Pond, among others.
2. Hoa Lo Prison – Hanoi
Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton, formerly called Maison Centrale in French, meaning central lair, or known in Vietnamese as Hanoi's Inferno, is a historic prison located at 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. The prison still stands today as a vivid testament to a painful period in history, a symbol of the indomitable spirit and resilience of the patriotic people of Vietnam.
Hoa Lo Prison. Image: Collection
The total area of the former prison complex was over 12,000 square meters. Referred to as the 'hell on earth,' Hoa Lo Prison was the most feared prison in Southeast Asia. Throughout its operation, Hoa Lo Prison housed countless generations of soldiers and revolutionary activists from Vietnam. The prison's architecture featured brutal torture methods, such as the guillotine and the torture rack, earning it a place among the top 10 most notorious prisons in the world.
Execution Machine at Hoa Lo Prison. Image: Collection
Recreation of torture scenes in Hoa Lo Prison. Image: Collection
Today, only 2,434 square meters of Hoa Lo Prison are preserved, serving as a historical site for tourists who wish to witness and learn about its history.
3. K9 Stone Area - Hanoi Historical Site
The K9 Historical Site is situated along the Da River, in Da Chong, Ba Vi district (Hanoi), a significant historical and cultural landmark closely associated with President Ho Chi Minh. It preserves his remains during the anti-American resistance (1969-1975) and serves as the site of his activities during his lifetime (1957-1969).
The Ho Chi Minh Memorial House at K9 was inaugurated on September 2, 2015. It is a monumental structure with profound historical and political significance, welcoming both locals and international visitors for sightseeing, commemoration, and contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of ethical values. Here, you can pay respects to Uncle Ho, explore the area where his remains are kept in glass houses, underground bunkers, and the technological machinery protecting his remains.
The artifacts in the kitchen are meticulously preserved with minimal changes. Image: Collection
The vehicles, along with the officers and soldiers of Unit 69, transported President Ho's remains six times, overcoming all weather conditions, ensuring absolute safety. Image: Collection
4. Tan Trao Historical Site - Tuyen Quang
The Tan Trao Historical Site is located in Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province – a land deeply connected to the revolutionary resistance for 9 heroic years and the renowned father of the nation, a world cultural figure, Ho Chi Minh.
Tan Trao Historical Site. Image: Collection
The total natural area of the entire site is 561.1 km2, featuring 17 exemplary historical sites and clusters, nationally recognized as such, including the Tân Trào banyan tree, Tân Trào communal house, Hồng Thái communal house, Nguyễn Huệ sub-region headquarters, the government's President and Prime Minister offices, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the safety bunkers of President Tôn Đức Thắng. Among them, the Tân Trào banyan tree is considered the revolutionary symbol of the Capital Liberation Zone. Beneath its branches, General Võ Nguyên Giáp read Order No. 1 in the presence of the entire liberation army and the people. Immediately afterward, the entire army joined forces to cross Thái Nguyên and advance straight toward liberating Hanoi.
The huts within the Tan Trao historical site. Image: Collection
The Tân Trào Banyan Tree. Image: Collection
5. Pac Bo Historical Site - Cao Bang
The Special National Monument of Pac Bo is situated in Truong Ha commune, Ha Quang district, Cao Bang province, 52 km north of Cao Bang City Center. This is a place intimately connected to the exceptionally important period of Vietnam's revolution and President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities from 1941 to 1945.
Places marked by Uncle Ho. Image: Collection
When visiting Pac Bo, you will witness and feel the familiar landmarks that have entered the glorious history of the country, such as the Vietnam-China Border Pillar 108, Coc Bo Cave, Party Historical Stone Table, Khuoi Nam Hut, along with the serene Le Nin stream, embracing the majestic Karl Marx mountain, a name given by Uncle Ho during his time here.
The clear green waters of the Le Nin stream. Image: Collection
Uncle Ho's poem written during his time working here. Image: Collection
6. Historical Complex of Dien Bien Phu - Dien Bien
The Historical Complex of Dien Bien Phu is closely associated with our army and people's 56-day and night campaign of 'digging mountains, sleeping in bunkers, enduring rain, and squeezing rice,' resulting in the glorious victory that resonated worldwide, concluding the extraordinary resistance against the French colonialists by our army and people.
Dien Bien Phu seen from above. Image: Collection
The Historical Complex of Dien Bien Battlefields comprises prominent sites such as Hill A1, Independence Hill, Hong Cum Base, Him Lam, Mường Thanh Bridge, the Command Bunker of Dien Bien Phu (or Do Cat Bunker), the Victory Monument, the Artillery Pulling Monument, and the Command Headquarters of the Dien Bien Phu campaign.
Reenacted scene of working in Dien Bien Phu. Image: Collection
Among them, Hill A1 - the most significant outpost in the French colonialist's stronghold, is a must-visit for any traveler. After 39 days and nights of intense combat, the Vietnamese army dug a tunnel containing nearly 1000kg of explosives and ignited it on the night of May 6, 1954. By the morning of May 7, 1954, we completely controlled A1, paving the way for the final all-out assault on the Command Headquarters, securing a complete victory.
Hill A1 in Dien Bien Phu. Image: Collection
7. Son La Prison
Son La Prison was constructed by the French during the period of French colonialism in 1908 on Khau Ca Hill, along the Nam La stream, Son La province. This was once the place where 1,007 communist prisoners were detained, but it also served as a revolutionary school, nurturing the 'red seeds' of the Vietnamese revolution.
Son La Prison. Image: Collection
Son La Prison originally covered an area of about 500m2, and after three construction and expansion phases, it now has a total area of 2,170m2. The prison was built solidly with stone and brick walls, a corrugated iron roof, and the prisoners' beds were made of stone and cement-surfaced with mortar. The special confinement rooms were only 1.2m2, equipped with torture tools, handcuffs, iron chains, a visible pit toilet, without water pouring, and inadequate hygiene. In winter, the cells are as cold as ice, while in summer, they are as hot as a furnace. Various diseases such as edema, malaria, and typhoid fever spread like a cruel weapon, gradually killing and eroding the prisoners.
Son La Prison is classified as a Special National Monument. Image: Collection
Recreating scenes inside Son La Prison. Image: Collection
Today, Son La Prison is one of the historical landmarks attracting many visitors, both domestic and international, for exploration and research.
8. Safety Zone Historical Site in Dinh Hoa - Thai Nguyen
Safety Zone Dinh Hoa is situated in the areas of Phu Dinh, Diem Mac, Thanh Dinh, Dinh Bien, Bao Linh, Dong Thinh, Quy Ky, Kim Phuong, Binh Thanh, and the town of Cho Chu in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province. It spans over a planned conservation area of 5,200km2. This location, chosen by Uncle Ho and the Party and State agencies, has a challenging terrain ensuring 'advance to attack, retreat to defend.' It played a crucial role in leading the resistance against the French colonialists and marked the beginning of the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign.
Safety Zone Dinh Hoa. Image: Collection
The special national historical site of Safety Zone Dinh Hoa comprises 128 historical sites, including 15 nationally ranked sites and 5 provincially ranked ones. There are 108 verified but unranked sites undergoing state-funded restoration and preservation. Among them, Tinh Keo is the 'red address,' considered the 'heart' of the combat zone. On December 6, 1953, Uncle Ho presided over a Politburo meeting at this location, deciding to launch the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Subsequently, on January 1, 1954, at Tinh Keo, the Politburo convened, appointing leadership and appointing General Vo Nguyen Giap as the Commander of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
Interior of Safety Zone Dinh Hoa. Image: Collection
Additionally, the historical site of Safety Zone Dinh Hoa features significant attractions such as the memorial house of President Ho Chi Minh, Khau Ty Hill, Phong Tuong Hill, Quang Village communal house, Bao Bien relic, Khuon Tat relic, and more.
For anyone with the blood of the golden red race, historical sites are undeniably must-visit destinations in the journey to rediscover your roots.
