Ba Đình Square, Hà Nội

The square is located on Hùng Vương Street in the western part of the city. It is bordered by the Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the north, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters to the south, the imposing Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum to the west and Ba Đình Hall to the east.

Before the 20th century, Ba Đình Square was an empty plot of land that the French later developed into Pugininer Garden. Several government buildings and villas were constructed around the garden, including what are now the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. After Japan overthrew the French administration, Dr. Trần Văn Lai—the mayor of Hà Nội under the Trần Trọng Kim government—renamed the garden Ba Đình Square.

Just over a month after it was officially named, Ba Đình Square was chosen as the setting for the most momentous event in Vietnamese history. On 2/9/1945, President Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Đình Square, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The square was filled with a sea of people, flags and flowers, and everyone was radiant with joy, swept up in the happiness of independence. Those who were there still cannot forget the atmosphere, the scene and the emotions in Ba Đình Square that day.

Ba Đình Square was later known as Independence Square and Hồng Bàng Square. In the end, however, the name Ba Đình Square was retained to commemorate that sacred historic event to this day.

Today, Ba Đình Square is Vietnam's largest square, covering more than 32.000 square meters. It hosts solemn events such as ceremonies commemorating fallen heroes, military parades, rallies, achievement-reporting ceremonies and Party admission ceremonies... On regular days, flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies take place in the square. This is one of the Hà Nội attractions you should make sure to visit while checking in around the capital.

• See more: Top must-visit attractions in Hà Nội