Capital Liberation Day in Vietnam Date in the current year: October 10, 2024

By 1885, Vietnam had come under French rule and become part of French Indochina. Following the capitulation of France during World War II, the territory of French Indochina was occupied by the Japanese army. Throughout the war, Vietnamese communists led by Ho Chi Minh fought both Japanese occupants and the pro-Vichy French colonial administration.

When World War II ended in 1945, the Viet Minh (Vietnam’s national independence coalition) continued to fight for independence from France and Japan, whereas France was trying to preserve its colonies in Indochina. Their confrontation resulted in the First Indochina War, which culminated in the signing of the Geneva Accords on July 21, 1954.

According to the Geneva Accords, Vietnam was temporarily divided into two parts at the 17th parallel. The Viet Minh gained control over North Vietnam, which included Hanoi. However, it took France some time to withdraw troops from North Vietnam. As a result, the Viet Minh troops arrived in Hanoi on October 10, 1954.

Following the reunification of Vietnam in 1976 and the creation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the anniversary of liberation of Hanoi was declared an official observance.