Before the August Revolution (which began on August 19, 1945), a large area of unused land and newly filled lake and pond was called Puginier square after a French priest. The square was adjacent to the Palace of the French Governor General of Indochina (now the Presidential Palace of Vietnam). After the August Revolution succeeded, the square was renamed Ba Dinh in commemoration of an uprising against the French at their Ba Dinh stronghold in Thanh Hoa province in the late 19th century.
The provisional government ordered the organizing committee of the Declaration of Independence ceremony to find a venue large enough for hundreds of thousands of people to gather. The Quan Ngua equestrian area (which was far from the city center) and the square in front of the Hanoi Opera House (which was quite small) were considered, but in the end Ba Dinh square was chosen.
For the ceremony on September 2, 1945, a high wooden platform wrapped with cloth was erected at the center of the square. Slogans were posted on the sides of the platform, from which a flagpole rose high into the sky.
Nguyen Duc Khuong, who lives in Ba Dinh district, said, “When I was small, my grandparents often took me walking here and told me about the difficult struggle against the French, their joy when Vietnam achieved independence and the day they gathered at Ba Dinh square to listen to the declaration of independence. I will tell these things to my children and grandchildren, too.”
Ever since then, Ba Dinh square has hosted giant military parades, major historical celebrations, and receptions for foreign delegations. On one side of the square, the National Assembly Hall (called Ba Dinh Hall) was built. Next to it is a monument to heroic martyrs.
 Ba Dinh square on the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence (Photo: tapchiqptd.vn) |
President Ho Chi Minh passed away on September 2, 1969. His solemn funeral was held at Ba Dinh square, which, shortly afterwards, was chosen as his final resting place. His Mausoleum was built there and next door to it the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which opened in 1990 on Uncle Ho’s 100th birthday.
Spanning 32,000 square meters on Hung Vuong street, Ba Dinh square is the largest square in Vietnam. Each day, the national flag is hoisted and lowered in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a ritual recognized nationally in 2001, on President Ho Chi Minh’s 111th birthday.
 Ba Dinh square in Hanoi (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
The flag-hoisting ceremony is staged at 6 am in summer and 6.30 am in winter by 37 honor guards, three leading the team and carrying the folded flag. The 34 others represent the 34 original members of the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, the predecessor of today’s Vietnam People’s Army. When the three guards with the flag prepare to hoist it, the entrance to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is opened. When the signal is given, the national anthem echoes in Ba Dinh square and the flag is unfolded and hoisted to the top of a 29-meter pole.
Following the flag-hoisting ceremony, the honor guards march in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The flag-hoisting ceremony in the morning and the flag-lowering ceremony at 9 pm in the evening are preferred moments to visit Ba Dinh square.
 The national flag is hoisted everyday at Ba Dinh square. (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
Tourist Huong Giang from Ho Chi Minh city told VOV, “I first came to Hanoi to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and play around at Ba Dinh square when I was 10 years old. Now I often travel to Hanoi on business trips. Every time I’m in Hanoi, I head to Ba Dinh square. I wake up early in the morning and walk here from the Sword Lake area to attend the flag-hoisting ceremony. When I finish my work, I come back here for an evening walk and watch the flag being lowered. I remember I once visited Hanoi on National Independence Day on September 2. I woke up really early to go to Ba Dinh square. I thought I would be the very first one to arrive, but I was wrong. Many people came even earlier, because, like me, they were very excited about the flag-hoisting ceremony. I felt so proud and emotional. I will never forget that day.”
Ba Dinh square is a familiar yet reverential place. It has become a magnet that draws locals and tourists to learn about Vietnam’s glorious history.