A solemn ceremony was held at the Ly Thai To Flower Garden in the morning of October 1 to kick off 10 days of celebrations for the Millennium of Thang Long-Hanoi.
Opening the ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, together with Party, State and Hanoi municipal leaders offered incense before the Statue of King Ly Thai To, who had a strategic and sound decision to remove the country’s capital city from Hoa Lu in the northern province of Ninh Binh to Dai La (now Hanoi), opening up a long-term development direction for following generations.
Addressing the event, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi stressed that the historical transfer of the capital from Hoa Lu surrounded by one mountain after another to the centre of the Red River Delta formed an extraordinary step forward for the nation, reaffirming the will to build the national independence and unification and ushering in a new era for the Dai Viet. Thang Long-Hanoi’s thousand-year history has been constantly cultivated by heroic exploits.
“Generations of Vietnamese living in the Ho Chi Minh era, owners of our majestic land and an independent and free country, will surely advance without any misgivings to the future, a future of more beautiful Vietnam so much desired by President Ho Chi Minh,” he said.
At the ceremony, General Director of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova presented a certificate recognizing the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a World Cultural Heritage to the Hanoi leaders.
While showing her admiration at Vietnam , one of the few countries in the world that still preserves lively memories of the capital transfer 1,000 years ago, Irina Bokova also recommended that Vietnam should take responsibility for the humankind through promoting the heritage to future generations.
The jubilant atmosphere of the grand celebrations has been seen in each street, each lane and each face of the capital. All roads leading to the Ly Thai To Flower Garden, where the opening ceremony took place, are decorated by flags, banners and flowers. Hanoi is putting on itself a new colorful dress to celebrate its 1,000th birthday.
Jeanne Huynh, an overseas Vietnamese in France , couldn’t hide her feeling when returning to the homeland to attend the great event of the capital and the country. She said she was proud of being a Vietnamese.
Vietnam’s successful hosting of many international events and the recognition of the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a World Culture Heritage have proven the country’s increasingly improved position, she said.
Jeanne Huynh also expressed her belief that in the next 10-15 years, Vietnam can stand on a par with developed countries in the world.
For the UK Ambassador to Vietnam , Mark Kent, the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi is an event of special significance for him as he is going to end his three-year term of office in Hanoi .
Mark Kent said he was honored to live and work in the 1,000-year-old city of Hanoi . He added that he will join a number of activities during the anniversary, including a race for peace around Hoan Kiem Lake on October 3.
The millennium celebrations of Thang Long-Hanoi will be held within ten days with numerous artistic and cultural activities throughout the capital city.
Highlights of the celebrations will be a meeting and a parade at the Ba Dinh Square as well as a cultural and art gala night at the My Dinh National Stadium on October 10.
Events celebrating 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi
Event |
Vennue |
October 1 |
|
Opening ceremony |
Ly Thai To Garden/ Hoan Kiem Lake |
Exhibition: literature and art works through history |
Centre for Exhibition, Culture and Arts, 2 Hoa Lu St |
Photo exhibition on Ha Noi |
Exhibition House 45 Trang Tien St |
Revolutionary film week |
National Cinema Centre |
Art show |
Hoan Kiem Lake |
October 2 |
|
Exhibition on ancient materials and artefacts on Thang Long Citadel |
Thang Long Citadel relic |
Thang Long international tourism festival |
Bao Son Paradise Resort (Hoai Duc Dist) |
October 3 |
|
Ha Noi Moi newspaper run |
Hoan Kiem Lake |
October 4 |
|
Exhibition: National heroes and cultural figures |
Revolutionary Museum |
Exhibition: Historic battles in Viet Nam |
Viet Nam Military History Museum |
Calligraphy exhibition |
Literature Temple |
Thang Long old dances |
Ly Thai To Garden |
October 5 |
|
Official opening of the Ceramic Road |
Yen Phu Road |
Bat Trang ceramic exhibition |
Bat Trang Village, Gia Lam Dist |
|
|
Kite festival |
My Dinh Square |
Traditional martial arts performance |
Quan Ngua Sports Palace |
Exhibition: Old Ha Noi Food festival |
Ha Noi Museum West Lake Water Park |
October 8 |
|
Art shows by young people |
Out-door stages all over the city |
Street festival |
Square in front of the State Bank Headquarters |
October 9 |
|
Art show by international art troupes |
Out-door stages all over the city |
October 10 |
|
Official ceremony celebrating 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi |
Ba Dinh Square |
Gala night |
My Dinh Stadium |