Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam News Agency (VNA), in coordination with the Hanoi People’s Committee, on August 22 hosted a talk show to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945) and National Day (September 2).
The event paid tribute to the nation’s heroic journey, offering fresh perspectives on history while inspiring citizens, particularly the younger generation, to take greater responsibility in building a modern, civilised, and sustainable capital.
In her opening remarks, VNA Deputy General Director Nguyen Thi Su stressed that Hanoi — the thousand-year-old capital — has gone down in the nation’s history as a sacred symbol of the will for independence and freedom, and the aspiration for peace.
She recalled that on August 19, 1945, the uprising of Hanoians ignited the flame of revolution, paving the way for the August Revolution’s victory. On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and ushering in a new era of independence and freedom associated with socialism.
Closely tied to the capital’s history, the Vietnam News Agency - established on September 15, 1945 - broadcast the Declaration of Independence worldwide in Vietnamese, English, and French, marking the start of its 80-year journey alongside the nation and Hanoi.
Over the decades, VNA has fulfilled its mission with distinction, delivering timely, vivid reports on the nation’s victories and conveying the revolutionary administration’s voice to the people and international friends. Among its millions of archived news items and photos are iconic images of Hanoi: the August 1945 uprising, the capital’s liberation in 1954, the “Three Readiness” movement in 1964, and the “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory of 1972. Despite challenges, VNA has always stood as a trusted strategic information agency of the Party, State, and people, ensuring the continuous flow of information that reflects the nation’s pulse and the era’s rhythm.
Su noted that today, with more than 60 types of information products, VNA continues to promote Hanoi’s image as a “City for Peace” and a “Creative City” to the world. She also highlighted the significance of the “Bui Xuan Phai – For the Love of Hanoi” Award, initiated in 2008 by the agency's The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports and Culture) newspaper, which honours authors, works, ideas, and initiatives contributing to the capital’s development.
At the event, Professor Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, stressed that the August Revolution’s success in Hanoi resulted from thorough preparation and decisive action.
Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong affirmed that the revolution’s triumph reflected the people’s willpower, with the Hanoi Party Organisation at its core. He emphasised that today the city views culture and people as its development centre, combined with science, technology, innovation, and smart urbanisation as main growth pillars.
Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, a standing member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Education, noted that while the August Revolution affirmed Hanoi’s resilience, the subsequent journey has highlighted its elegance and rich identity. Today’s youth, he said, are not only inheriting Hanoi’s cultural values but also becoming active creators, enriching the capital’s heritage and national identity./.
