The rally to launch the uprising to seize power was organised by the Viet Minh Front at the Hanoi Opera House on August 19, 1945.

In the early morning of August 19, 1945, tens of thousands of people in Hanoi and neighbouring provinces flocked to the Hanoi Opera House square.

At about 10:30 am, an unprecedented large rally of the revolutionary mass took place under the protection of two organisations, namely the Self-Defence Youth and the Viet Minh - Citadel of Hoang Dieu, Hanoi.

Today, the 110-year-old Hanoi Opera House is still an important venue for organising socio-cultural events of the capital in particular and of the country in general.

In the midst of the bright golden autumn sun, Hanoi Opera House today still exudes a timeless beauty though the streets are empty because the capital city is applying social distancing to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic.

On November 5, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh presided over the Resistance Day in the Opera House, chanting the slogan “Determined to win independence”.

Continuing its role in the past, Hanoi Opera House is still the place in which to perform many cultural and artistic programmes, featuring artist troupes from both at home and abroad. This place is still one of the best art spaces in the capital.

On September 3, 1945, during the first meeting of the Provisional Government, President Ho Chi Minh proposed six urgent tasks, the first of which was hunger relief.

The procession launching the movement “Hunger Relief Day” marched from the Opera House Square, attracting huge support and donations from people.

August Revolution Square in front of the Opera House today is still an ideal place to hold many community events in Hanoi.

The atmosphere of the General Uprising in Hanoi in response to the call of President Ho Chi Minh, August 19, 1945.

The rally turned into a great march. The flow of people divided in many directions, with self-defence teams leading the way, heading to occupy offices and key positions, such as the Administration Building, Post Office, Police Department, etc.

The square is still spacious today, Trang Tien Street still retains the features of French architecture. If not for the epidemic, this place is definitely an ideal “check-in” destination for many domestic and foreign tourists on these days.

On September 16, 1945, in the joyful atmosphere of people across the country with the belief of a new future for the nation, people lined up on the Opera House Square to contribute their assets for the cause of conservation and protection of the newly won independence.

The enthusiastic support of the masses in the “Golden Week” and “Independence Fund” campaigns right after the August Revolution in 1945 was the result of mass mobilisation work and the solidarity of people from all walks of life.

Trang Tien Street today is both modern and charming with many luxurious restaurants and exciting shopping and entertainment activities. The street still has a nostalgic look with a number of hundred-year-old buildings.

The street is also the location of Trang Tien Plaza, once Hanoi’s largest Western-style commercial centre. On the opposite site of the commercial centre is the Hanoi City Exhibition and Information Centre.

Along the street are newsstands, bookstores, and shops selling souvenirs and cultural products.

On August 19, 1945, Viet Minh forces and the people of Hanoi attacked and took control of the Residential Palace of the Tonkin Governor - the headquarters of the French-backed administration in the North.

The Palace is now the Government Guest House, which hosts cultural exchanges, meetings, and diplomatic banquets as well as receptions for domestic and international guests.

On August 20, 1945, the Northern Revolutionary People's Committee, representing the provisional revolutionary government in the North, made its debut at the Con Coc Garden, also known as Dien Hong Flower Garden.

Today, the flower garden is an attractive tourist site in Hanoi. It is not only a place for outdoor excises but also a popular venue for couples to take pre-wedding photo albums and for youngsters to organise street cultural activities.

The house at 48 Hang Ngang street in Hoan Kiem district is the historical place where President Ho Chi Minh penned the Declaration of Independence.

After 76 years, many historical objects related to President Ho Chi Minh are still kept intact inside the house, making it a destination for the younger generations to get a deeper understanding about the Declaration of Independence.

The house was owned by patriotic bourgeois Trinh Van Bo and his wife Hoang Thi Minh Ho, who were enlightened by the revolution and then became Party members.

President Ho Chi Minh and the members of the Party Central Committee stayed at the house from August 25 to early September 1945, during which they received the warm welcome and care from Trinh Van Bo’s family. At a room on the second floor, President Ho Chi Minh wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Trinh Van Bo’s family later donated the house to the State and it is now recognised as a historical site.

President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Although 76 years has passed, Ba Dinh square remains a political and cultural centre which hosts many major events of the country.

The year 1945 witnessed many important historical events in the country. After the success of the August Revolution, the Vietnamese national flag – a red flag with a yellow star in the centre – was hoisted for the first time at the Hanoi Flag Tower, marking a turning point in the nation's history.

The Hanoi Flag Tower was built in 1805 and completed in 1812 under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), used as an observation post for the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The 41-metre tall flag tower is composed of three tiers and a pyramid-shaped tower with a spiral staircase leading to the top inside it.

From the top of the tower, one has an aerial view of the entire city and its suburban area, helping it avoid being destroyed during the French invasion.

Witnessing many significant events of the nation, the Hanoi Flag Tower has stood the test of time with the Vietnamese national flag always flying on its top as a symbol of the independence and freedom of the Vietnamese people.