VietNamNet Bridge – Octogenarian war veterans, young people, State leaders and thousands of delegates took part yesterday in a solemn event in Ha Noi commemorating the 70th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19) and the fierce campaign against the French in the winter of ’46.

War veterans joined Party, State and Government leaders yesterday to mark the 70th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19). — Photo: VNA/VNS

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former Party and State leaders and nearly 3,500 delegates attended the event.

National Resistance Day marks President Ho Chi Minh’s 1946 call, urging the entire people of Viet Nam to resist the French colonial rule.

Following the success of the August Revolution in 1945 and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, the French sped up their attempts to re-occupy Ha Noi and other areas.

On the evening of December 19, 1946, Vietnamese troops in Lang fortress zeroed in on targets in the inner city, initiating the resistance war. The next morning, the Voice of Vietnam broadcast President Ho Chi Minh’s appeal, urging the people to resist the French restoration of colonial rule in the country.

In response to the appeal, the Ha Noi’s army and people fought for 60 days and nights, managing to contain the French and foil their plans to capture major Vietnamese institutions.

The achievements over nine years of war culminated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign victory over the French, laying the foundation for national liberation and reunification under the leadership of the Communist Party.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee, Hoang Trung Hai, recalled the spirit and significance of the 60-day resistance and expressed his belief in the national construction and development at present.

Colonel Nguyen Huy Du, 86, who joined the war, recalled the resistance and said he could not forget the winter of 1946 when the entire people and army of Viet Nam had to fight to protect the country amid severe weather conditions and many other challenges.

He said he hoped the young generation would continue upholing that traditional spirit to protect and develop the country.   

Representing the young generation, 32-year-old Tran Xuan Bach, a lecturer from the Ha Noi Medical University, said he was very pround of the revolutionary tradition and sacrifice of the previous generations in gaining and protecting national independence.

The young generation acknowledges its responsibility and mission and would strive to build and protect the country, he said.

Earlier, delegations from the Party Central Committee, the Government, the National Assembly, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and the Ha Noi authorities paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and to heroic martyrs at a monument dedicated to them.

Source: VNS