Hanoi Celebrates 1,000 Years

It’s the kind of celebration that comes, well … once every millennium.

Spectators flooded Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi marking the 1,000th anniversary of the city’s founding.

Vietnam’s government has called this parade the largest the country has ever seen as soldiers, children, and artists all took part.

Dignitaries watched the proceedings from grandstands at the mausoleum of famed revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.

One reveler looked to the past as well as the future.

[Nguyen Xuan Quynh, Student]:
„After the grand celebration of Hanoi’s 1,000 years, I wish to see Hanoi more developed so that it can compare with most of the capitals in Asia and the region. And Vietnam will develop faster to become a rich and strong country that is equal to other countries in the world.“

It was King Ly Thai To who founded Hanoi—first called, ‘City of the Rising Dragon’—when he moved his capital from the hills to flat land along the Red River.

Now the Red River is the site of another achievement.

In honor of the city’s birth, artists have set the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest mosaic mural.

35 artists worked on the 800 meter piece beginning in 2007.

The goal was to work over existing graffiti and bring more color to Hanoi.

Foto: NTDTV