The national flag, anthem, and emblem are historical, political, and cultural symbols of a nation. They are official representations of Vietnam’s land, people, tradition, history, and culture.

Photo: Pham Ngoc Anh (VOV5)

On display are 200 documents, artifacts, and photos from the National Archives Centre III, originally donated to the National Archives by the families of late painter Bui Trang Chuoc and late musician Van Cao, by the Nguyen Huu Tien Memorial House, and by a number of other agencies and individuals.

The Vietnamese national anthem is ‘The Marching Song’, written by Van Cao in 1944. The song’s powerful melody inspires in Vietnamese people patriotism and a strong fighting spirit. ‘The Marching Song’ was played at the Declaration of Independence ceremony at Ba Dinh square in Hanoi on September 2, 1945.

Photo: Pham Ngoc Anh (VOV5)

Three days after reading the National Declaration of Independence, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree designating a red flag with a yellow star as the Vietnamese national flag. The flag symbolizes Vietnam’s unity, independence, and self-reliance.

The national emblem is the official, sacred symbol of the power of the State. Vietnam’s emblem is circular in shape. In the middle of a red background is a five-pointed gold star encircled by rice ears, below which is half a cogwheel and the inscription “Socialist Republic of Vietnam”. Painter Bui Trang Chuoc designed the emblem.

Bui Trang Chuoc’s daughter, Nguyen Thi Minh Trang, said: “My father created more than 100 pencil and color drawings of the Vietnamese national emblem. President Ho Chi Minh suggested that Vietnam should shift to modern industry, so my father included drawings of a cogwheel. It took him two years to finalize the emblem. From numerous drafts, 15 were selected and refined. The final selection was approved by the National Assembly. The original copy is preserved at National Archive Center III.”

The exhibition on Vietnam’s national flag, anthem, and emblem will run until February next year.