Ha Noi's 60th Liberation Day marked

Secretary of Ha Noi Municipal Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi - Photo: VNA

The high-ranking leaders included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, PM Nguyen Tan Dung, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Quang Nghi, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, expressed deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, martyrs and generations of Vietnamese people for their sacrifice and dedication to the liberation, construction and defence of the country and the capital city, the National News Agency reported.

He recalled the atmosphere in the capital on October 10 six decades ago, when more than 400,000 residents greeted the triumphant Vietnamese army units returning to Ha Noi and taking over the city from the French troops.

Since then, Ha Noi embarked on rebuilding efforts and together with other northern localities supported the southern Viet Nam’s struggle against the US.

Over the past years, the capital has reaped a number of outstanding socio-economic achievements while weathering numerous difficulties such as impacts of the global economic crisis, he noted.

The city’s annual economic growth rate stood at 9.5%, 1.5 times higher than the national average, while its gross domestic product and State budget collection accounted for 10 and 20% of the national respective figures.

Urban planning and management, traffic safety, social welfares along with cultural and educational affairs have made observable strides, the official said, adding that Ha Noi has had the highest human development index in the country.

The city has established cooperation and relations with more than 100 capitals and cities across the world. Fifteen years ago, it was the only Asian-Pacific city presented with the title “the City for Peace” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), he added.

Also at the ceremony, Ha Noi authorities honoured 10 individuals as “the capital’s eminent citizens” and 1,120 others for their good deeds in 2014.

On this occasion, State President Truong Tan Sang presented the Ho Chi Minh Order, Viet Nam’s second noblest order, to the municipal Party Committee, authorities and people of Ha Noi.

Hanoi a major metropolitan area of the region After 60 years of national liberation and with many ups and downs, Hanoi has transformed into a major metropolitan area of the region and the world and has been honoured as the city for peace, said Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao.

The sparkle of Liberation Day of Hanoi 60 years ago Though six decades have elapsed, the images of the victorious army returning triumphantly to liberate the capital city after years of occupation by French colonialists remain deeply imbedded in the minds of those old enough to remember.