Heritage Education Program Trial: “Historical Flag Salute Ceremony

On the morning of December 25, at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Site, numerous students, teachers, and representatives of various organizations recreated the “Historical Flag Salute Ceremony.” This was a meaningful theme within the framework of the 2023 heritage education program “Exploring Heritage.”

After a grueling yet glorious nine-year national resistance, on the morning of October 10, 1954, the Military Administrative Committee of the City and various military units triumphantly returned to Hanoi. At 3 PM on October 10, 1954, a long siren from the rooftop of the City Theater marked the beginning of the solemn flag-raising ceremony organized by the Military Administrative Committee at the Flag Tower Stadium. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of thousands of Hanoi citizens and military units taking over the city.

Nine years later, the flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was officially hoisted at the Hanoi Flag Tower. The red flag with its golden star fluttered atop the ancient Flag Tower. Hanoi erupted in joyous celebration of liberation, proud of its mighty resistance strength, grateful to the Party and beloved Uncle Ho. This event marked a significant turning point, opening a new glorious chapter in the thousand-year civilization history of Thang Long – Hanoi in the Ho Chi Minh era.

Currently, in schools, the weekly flag salute ceremony for teachers and students is a meaningful activity. It is a solemn ritual expressing patriotism, national pride, and gratitude towards the generations who sacrificed for the country’s independence and freedom. Moreover, this ceremony has profound educational significance, teaching students about unity, sharing, learning from good examples, and developing life skills and personal qualities.

To enhance educational value and provide a meaningful, practical playground for students outside school, the recreation of the flag salute ceremony for teachers and students of Hanoi at the Doan Mon area, under the Hanoi Flag Tower in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, themed “Historical Flag Salute Ceremony,” is a significant activity. It provides historical education about Hanoi at the heritage site.

Representatives from the Veterans Association, Women’s Union (Ba Dinh district), and numerous students from schools such as Van Chuong Primary School, Phan Chu Trinh Primary School, Hanoi Star School – Hoang Mai (Primary, Secondary & High School), Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School, Phan Huy Chu High School – Dong Da, and Hanoi Capital University participated in the program.

At the ceremony, delegates and students marched through Doan Mon to relive that sacred historical moment; saluting the flag, singing the National Anthem; and recalling the glorious historical period of the nation through revolutionary songs;

The program is a beautiful experiment that opens up opportunities for collaboration in traditional and historical education between the World Heritage Site Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and various primary schools, secondary schools, and universities in the capital area.

THANG LONG – HANOI HERITAGE CONSERVATION CENTER