Towards the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Capital's Armed Forces (October 19, 1946 - October 19, 2026) and the 80th anniversary of the National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946 - December 19, 2026), Hanoi is continuing to organize, renovate and complete the cultural and historical spaces of the Capital, including the Hoan Kiem Lake area.
Based on research and consulting opinions from agencies, units, experts, and scientists, the city has directed relevant agencies to coordinate the implementation of a plan to relocate the Monument "Determined to Die for the Fatherland to Live" in the campus of the national relic Ba Kieu Temple to space belonging to Regiment 692, Infantry Division 301, Capital High Command.
This is not reducing the value or meaning of the monument. On the contrary, the issue raised is to choose a more suitable space for the work to continue to be preserved solemnly, and at the same time, to deeply promote the value of traditional education.
A decision considered for a long time
According to Professor Le Van Lan, the selection of a more suitable location for the Monument "Determined to die for the Fatherland to live" is the result of a long process of observation, thought, consideration, listening and discussion.
From long-term experiences and observations, Professor Le Van Lan believes that bringing the monument complex to a more suitable place is necessary to better promote the value of the project. Placing the statue in the space of the Capital's armed forces also creates a more direct connection with the historical tradition that the project expresses.
Dr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of the Hanoi Historical Association, said that it is necessary to look at this story in the overall process of formation, development and renovation of Hoan Kiem Lake area.
According to him, the important thing for a work of historical value is not only the geographical location, but also the selection of a space suitable for the content and meaning that the work conveys. When the monument is placed in a space associated with the traditional successor force of the Capital Regiment, the historical connection is still preserved and continued to be promoted.
No need to "remove" the monument
Experts and specialized agencies all emphasized: Moving does not mean removing or losing the value of the Monument "Determined to Die for the Fatherland to Live".
The monument continues to be preserved, maintained and placed in a solemn space, directly associated with the tradition of the Capital's armed forces.
According to Head of Cultural Heritage Management Department Pham Thi Lan Anh, with its current location, the monument is located within the protection area 1 of the national relic Ba Kieu Temple, and is closely related to the overall space of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and surrounding cultural works.
During the research process, different options have been proposed, including bringing the monument to the Hanoi Museum or the Capital Command. The option of linking the monument to the Capital's armed forces has received more consensus from experts and management agencies.
This choice stems from the historical significance of the project itself.
Determined to die for the Fatherland to live" is a saying quoted in President Ho Chi Minh's letter to the soldiers of the Capital Regiment. The image depicted on the monument evokes the heroic and brave fighting spirit of the army and people of Hanoi in 60 days and nights of smoke and fire, opening the National Resistance War.
To continue to impart the spirit of "Determined to Die
Placing the monument in a space associated with the force that is continuing the tradition of the Capital Regiment also opens up conditions for the historical story behind the project to be introduced and educated more regularly and systematically.
The value of a monument is not only in the object, or the location of the project, but also in the historical memory, story and spirit that the project imparts from generation to generation.
Therefore, the choice of a new space for the Monument "Determined to Die for the Fatherland to Live" aims for a dual goal: to preserve the solemnity of a historical work and continue to deepen the traditional educational value of a special symbol of the Capital.
No matter what space it is, the spirit of "Determined to die for the Fatherland to live" is still an indelible part of Hanoi's memory and history.
According to the plan, the monument will be moved and installed at the new location before September 30, 2026.
According to experts, after more than 40 years of construction, along with the changes in urban space and landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake area, the study of relocating the project is necessary. In particular, this area currently has the relief "Hanoi Winter 1946" at Dong Xuan market and the monument "Determined to die for the Fatherland to live" at Van Xuan flower garden, contributing to recreating the fighting spirit of the army and people of the Capital in the early days of the National Resistance. Therefore, this relocation is necessary.
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Son - Chairman of the Hanoi Historical Association, at the time of placing the monument there, there was no complete planning for the space of Hoan Kiem Lake. And later, there were up to three locations with content about "Determined to die for the Fatherland to live". Along with the monument in the Ba Kieu temple area, there is also a relief at Dong Xuan market, a monument in Van Xuan flower garden. Thus, with a space not very large of the old street, Hanoi's Old Quarter, there are three monuments as well as reliefs of the same content.
