The 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi great anniversary is approaching. The itinerary for the 10 days of celebrations drawn up by writer Nguyen Khac Phuc has been approved by the government. Phuc talked with Cong An Nhan Dan Newspaper about the plan.

Writer Nguyen Khac Phuc.

Plan for 1000th great anniversary of Hanoi approved

Q: You have great passion for Hanoi and you assumed the great responsibility – writing the plan for the 1000^th Thang Long – Hanoi great anniversary. Could you tell us about the biggest goal of the itinerary?

A: Thang Long – Hanoi has experienced many ups and downs in the past 1000 years but it has been standing steadily and developing as the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is also the “City for Peace”, a symbol of Vietnam, which shows the city’s strong vitality.

For that reason, the great anniversary has to make people, especially youth, feel pride in the capital city and the country and based on that, ask themselves: “What do they need to do to help build a bigger and more beautiful Thang Long?

The great anniversary will also be an opportunity for international friends to understand more clearly about Vietnam, through the image of Thang Long, with the message: Vietnam is a country with a long tradition, long-standing values, which doesn’t invade others but doesn’t allow anyone to subjugate it.

Q: How about the guideline for the implementation of the itinerary?

A: The great anniversary will be imposing in space, time, investment but the most important thing is the message that Thang Long – Hanoi sends to the world. We can’t forget that our country is still poor so we have to spend money effectively.

The 1000^th great anniversary must be impressive so the world will know more about Hanoi and Vietnam. Therefore, the anniversary has to inspire everyone with the pride of culture, integration and development of Thang Long – Hanoi. The story of Thang Long must be told on the wings of grandiosity, historic truthfulness and the aspiration of a city always wishing for peace and development.

Q: Could you go into details about the plan?

A: The great anniversary will take place from October 1-10, 2010. There will be a headquarters to run all activities of the great anniversary. There will be a director for each day, besides directors of specific events on the days.

There are the two biggest events, the opening and closing ceremonies. After the opening ceremony, the public will see a special performance named “Thang Long – Hanoi – Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh age”. The performance tells the history of Vietnam and Thang Long – Hanoi through historical landmarks like the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945; the day we took over Hanoi in 1954; the funeral of President Ho Chi Minh on September 5, 1969, the live broadcast of the Dien Bien Phu Victory; the meeting of the Politburo to make a decision to launch the Great Attack in the spring of 1975.

The restoration of historical events will help the young generation imagine the country from a time when two million people died of starvation to the August Revolution and the today’s strong country.

The closing ceremony on October 10, 2010 will focus on the theme “The Flying Dragon City” with a solemn incense-offering ceremony. The President will read the “Thang Long – Hanoi – Vietnam 2010” message.

Q: Besides its spiritual meaning, is it true that the great anniversary will set many records?

A: This will be the largest cultural event in the country’s history with the largest number of attendants. The event will see the contributions of the most talented Vietnamese people.

Only the most outstanding people can bring about the success of the event, so this is a chance for Vietnamese talents at home and abroad to gather and participate.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most necessary thing for the great anniversary?

A: Talent, responsibility and then money and time!

VietNamNet/CAND