Hanoi embraces 1,000th birthday

A grand celebration was held in Ba Dinh Square in the center of Hanoi on Sunday to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the establishment of the city, drawing over 30,000 people.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet said at the celebration that the glorious 1,000-year history of Hanoi was an important part of Vietnamese history. Generations of Vietnamese people have been working hard for independence, freedom and development of the country.

Triet said he is pleased to see Vietnam's great achievements recorded in the innovation and open-up process in the past two decades. The president called on Vietnamese people to draw on experiences from history and make more contribution to the modernization drive of Vietnam.

A military parade was held at the celebration with Vietnamese People's Army three services marching past the Ba Dinh Square. Ten helicopters carrying flags of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnamese national flags flew over the square.

Following that, more than 20 huge floats depicting the history of Hanoi city and Vietnamese social and economic achievements took part in the parade.

The celebration reached its climax when dragon and lion dances started and colorful balloons were released into the air.

Hanoi city was established in 1010 in the Ly Dynasty of Vietnam. During the past 10 days, Vietnam has held various cultural and sports activities to celebrate the 1,000th birthday of Hanoi.

Source: Xinhua