When coming to the beloved capital of Hanoi, one cannot forget to mention Ba Dinh Square – a historic testament to a brilliant milestone of the Vietnamese nation.
Introduction to Ba Dinh Square
Before the 20th century, Ba Dinh Square was an empty piece of land that the French later developed into Pugininer Flower Garden. Surrounding the flower garden were several government buildings and villas, including the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. After the Japanese coup against the French, Dr. Tran Van Lai – the mayor of Hanoi under the Tran Trong Kim government, renamed the flower garden to Ba Dinh Square.
Just over a month after being officially named, Ba Dinh Square was chosen as the site for the most significant event in the Vietnamese nation. On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The square was then filled with masses of people and flags, everyone radiant, joyful, and overwhelmed with the happiness of Independence Day. Those who were present still cannot forget the atmosphere, the scenery, and the emotions at Ba Dinh Square that day.
After that, Ba Dinh Square was also referred to as Independence Square or Hong Bang Square. However, it ultimately retained the name Ba Dinh Square to forever commemorate that sacred historical event to this day.
Visiting Ba Đình Square
The architecture of Ba Đình Square impresses with its vast scale and lush green grass patches that extend evenly. These grass patches not only beautify the space but also serve an often unknown purpose of cooling the square. In the past, soldiers practicing here from morning until noon would often feel very fatigued and hot due to the heat retained by the concrete surface. The type of grass planted in the square is gừng grass, which remains green year-round and withstands the trampling of people.
Behind the square is the sacred Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, built on the site of the old dais where he once read the Declaration of Independence. The square and the mausoleum form a unified architectural ensemble, much like Ho Chi Minh and his brilliant ideas will always be intertwined with the Vietnamese homeland.
Not only do tourists enjoy visiting Ba Đình Square, but the residents of Hanoi also love to come here to witness the flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies. The flag-raising ceremony takes place at 6 a.m. (in summer) or 6:30 a.m. (in winter), while the flag-lowering ceremony, with a similar protocol, occurs at 9 p.m. the same day.
The performing team consists of 37 soldiers from the Guard Command of the Mausoleum, led by the victorious military flag and 34 remaining comrades representing the first 34 soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army. These soldiers, dressed in majestic white uniforms, marched through the square to the flagpole in front of Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum. As the glorious national anthem began, the national flag was slowly raised to the top of the flagpole. Seeing the red flag with yellow stars fluttering in the peaceful sky of the beloved homeland, surely every Vietnamese citizen would feel deeply moved and proud.
